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It is feared up to 15 people could have died after a ‘devastating’ explosion on Saturday which flattened an apartment block in Jersey, killing at least three.
Emergency services were called to Haut du Mont flats in St Helier just before 4am amid reports of a major incident. Locals were woken by what sounded like an earthquake as their houses shook and windows shattered after the three-storey building collapsed ‘like a pancake’, according to Chief of Police Robin Smith.
Many rushed from their homes to the street to see the blaze had lit up the night sky, the air thick with plumes of smoke billowing from the building – which had completely crumbled – and debris strewn across the street.
Rescuers in Jersey have been continuing their desperate search through the night for 12 people who are still missing in an attempt to find people trapped in the rubble, but the scene is reportedly ‘very dangerous’ for first responders. Chief fire officer Paul Brown told reporters: ‘The area is being lit and teams will be working tonight, all night, and we will not stop for the time being.’
Chief fire officer Paul Brown told reporters: ‘The area is being lit and teams will be working tonight, all night, and we will not stop for the time being’
Crews vowed to ‘not stop searching’ for survivors as night falls. Pictured: Debris strewn across the street at the site of the explosion
A search and rescue operation is still underway in an attempt to find people trapped in the rubble, but the scene is reportedly ‘very dangerous’ for first responders
Emergency services were called to Haut du Mont flats (pictured before the incident) in St Helier just before 4am amid reports of a major incident
This CCTV grab shows the moment the explosion first went off in the early hours of Saturday morning
Rescue dogs will be used to help local firefighters hunt for survivors at the Haut du Mont building, near St Helier harbour
The South West Hazardous Area Response Team arrived on the Channel Island yesterday along with an ‘urban search and rescue team’ from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service.
They will use rescue dogs to help local firefighters hunt for survivors at the Haut du Mont building on Pier Road, near St Helier harbour.
In an update late last night the Government of Jersey said: ‘Jersey Fire and Rescue Service are on site coordinating a methodical and meticulous multi agency search effort. This involves a number of stages, including vacating the site for short periods to allow dogs to enter, and the careful movement of debris.
‘A briefing will be given tomorrow morning with an update on their progress. Final details and timings of that briefing will be confirmed in the morning.’
The fire service said the wreckage still contained ‘pockets of fire’ more than 12 hours after the blast. Two ‘walking wounded’ were sent to hospital after the explosion but have since been released.
Debris is still strewn across the street as fire crews work in the rubble to search for at least 12 people who are still missing
Jersey Fire and Rescue Service said the wreckage still contained ‘pockets of fire’ more than 12 hours after the blast
The multi-agency search effort involves a number of stages, including vacating the site for short periods to allow dogs to enter, and the careful movement of debris
Debris was strewn across the street while smoke plumes billowed through the air, as two ‘walking wounded’ were rushed to hospital
Emergency services were called to Haut du Mont flats in St Helier, the capital of Jersey- the largest of the Channel Islands
The cause of the blast is still being investigated, but a fire crew was called to the block, believed to contain six flats, on Friday at 8.36pm after residents said they could smell gas.
Chief Fire Officer Paul Brown said he could not give details of how the crew dealt with the incident, but added: ‘I know they did conduct investigations, but at the moment what I’m focused on is just the emergency response.’
Mr Smith of Jersey Police said that it was a ‘protracted incident’ that could ‘go on for days, maybe weeks’, as he warned that people should be prepared for the possibility of ‘more fatalities’.
He added: ‘It is a scene of utter devastation. It has completely collapsed. It doesn’t even look like a building was. The number one priority is working out if there’s anyone alive in that debris.’
The building was managed by Andium Homes, a States of Jersey-owned but independent company that rents out properties on the island. The blast was so powerful that British Geological Survey sensors registered it three miles away. A spokesman said: ‘The magnitude was -0.1, but it appears that most of the energy was released into the atmosphere as an airwave.’
The building went up in flames shortly before 4am, causing the entire block of flats to crumble
Jersey Fire & Rescue said ‘pockets of fire’ are still being discovered in the wreckage more than 10 hours after the initial explosion. Two ‘walking wounded’ were rushed to hospital, but police are yet to issue an update on the estimated 12 people who remain unaccounted for
Jersey Police chief officer Robin Smith described it as a ‘scene of utter devastation’ and said the rescue operation could last for weeks
A fire caused by the explosion has now been extinguished, but emergency services are still ‘carrying out significant work’ at the scene, which is cordoned off. People have been asked to avoid the area.
Locals have also been urged to avoid the hospital’s emergency department unless absolutely necessary to ensure the resources can be adequately used to treat victims.
It has not yet been established what caused the explosion, but Jersey’s gas supplier, Island Energy, has issued a statement, reading: ‘We are working with @JsyFire to understand exactly what has happened.
‘[We] will share more information once it is available. We ask that islanders continue to follow the advice given by emergency services at this time.’
It was also revealed residents in the block called fire services last night to report an issue with the flats.
Mr Smith confirmed on Saturday morning the fire brigade had attended the scene earlier in the evening. He said police would investigate ‘whether or not there was a safety issue’ regarding gas supplies.
Robin Smith (pictured) said that around 12 people are still missing, adding: ‘My hope, of course, is that the number is a lot less’
A search and rescue operation is now underway in an attempt to find people trapped in the rubble, but the scene is reportedly ‘very dangerous’ for first responders
The fire has now been extinguished, but emergency services are still ‘carrying out significant work’ at the scene, which is cordoned off
The explosion shattered windows in the immediate vicinity of the tragedy
Anthony Abbott, who lives in the Haut du Mont complex, told ITV he and his family felt ‘lucky’ to have survived the explosion.
‘There was debris everywhere. Our windows had all come in. We got a few clothes on, got out of the building, helped people down the stairs and we were all escorted away from the scene.
‘We’re lucky. There may be some people who may not be. There are people that we knew… I haven’t seen them as yet.’
The blip on the green line at about 4am shows the moment the explosion registered on local earthquake data
Byron Hatton, 50, was at home with his wife at the time of the blast shortly before 4am – and was woken by the loud noise.
He described springing out of bed as the ‘house shook’ and he first wondered if a ‘mini earthquake’ had occurred.
Mr Hatton questioned whether ‘a car had crashed into the house’ at their home just outside Bingham Court, Saint Helier, before seeing plumes of smoke.
The IT manager said: ‘The first bang was absolutely massive, it shook the house. Then there were two smaller explosions.
‘It woke everyone in the area up – I could see all the lights coming on through the windows of people’s homes trying to work out what had happened. All anyone could see from our area was smoke – huge plumes of smoke and ash.’
After checking his family were okay, he donned his coat and went out onto the road to see what had happened before being stopped by a police officer.
He added: ‘We were all out in woolly hats, pyjamas and jackets, maybe 10 or 15 of us. Pier Road was absolute carnage, there was ash and debris everywhere but we couldn’t get any closer.’
‘Being realistic, it would be an absolute miracle if people survived. I feel so sorry for people that may have lost their lives.’
Mr Hatton said he spent around 45 minutes at the top of his road with a police officer, who ‘was pretty shaken up’ as he continued his night shift.
He said: ‘We need to respect our emergency services right now, they must be going through Hell to see the things they are seeing.’
Janice Byrne, who lives across the street from the flats, said she was ‘nearly thrown out of bed at 3.39am’ after the explosion.
‘I was in shock as I heard a massive bang and the building shook. I was able to look out on my balcony to see some houses in the distance on fire.’
Jersey’s gas supplier, Island Energy, has issued a statement, reading: ‘We are working with @JsyFire to understand exactly what has happened’
Three people have died and up to 12 people are missing after an explosion destroyed several flats in Jersey
Daniel Hunt, a 19-year-old data administrator, said the explosion also woke him at around 4am.
‘My bedroom was shaken from the explosion with the windows rattling, which was all very unnerving,’ he said.
‘I went outside to take a look… I could see what looked like police and firefighters shining torches through windows of surrounding buildings.
‘I assume as they were evacuating the surrounding area. The building (was) up in flames with smoke pouring out of the windows. To have this happen so close and so early in the morning you don’t know what to think.’
Another said: ‘I’ve never heard an explosion like it… there was glass all over the road… It’s done a lot of damage where we live, all the neighbours have been out since 4am cleaning glass.
‘It’s a really bad thing to happen toward Christmas for everybody. My prayers go out to everybody.’
Pictured: Chief of Police Robin Smith and Detective Chief Inspector Craig Jackson attending the search and rescue
The fire has now been extinguished, but emergency services are still ‘carrying out significant work’ at the scene, which is cordoned off
Robin Smith (left), chief officer at States of Jersey Police and Chief minister of Jersey, Kristina Moore (right) held an emergency press conference to discuss the tragedy on Saturday morning
Up to 40 people were moved from surrounding homes and taken to a nearby parish hall before accommodation was found for them.
Jersey’s chief minister Kristina Moore said the area would be under investigation for ‘some days’ as she expressed condolences to families affected.
Speaking alongside Mr Smith at the conference, she said: ‘It’s a huge shock to everyone this morning, but in the first instance our condolences go to the families who are affected and we’re all thinking and praying for those who are worried about their loved ones.
‘We all share in their concern.’ Ms Moore said she would keep islanders updated as investigations continue.
UK Justice Secretary Dominic Raab issued a statement to say he is ‘deeply saddened’ by the tragedy.
Jersey Police has set up a support line where concerned residents can request information about family members affected by the major incident. The public are urged to call 0800 735 5566 (Freeline) or 01534 445566, rather than police.
Last night the Parish Church of St Helier held a candle-lit vigil.
The Dean of Jersey, Reverend Mike Keirle, said: ‘Everybody who has been displaced because of the explosion has somewhere to stay this evening. People have been queuing up to help and do all they can to offer food and warmth.
‘There has been a wonderful, caring response from the community.’
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