Date: 18th October, 2017
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service remains in attendance at a property in Market Place, Chippenham following an explosion earlier this evening (18 October).
A 999 call was received at 6.12pm to say there had been an explosion in a third floor flat within a mid terraced building.
Crews from Chippenham, Corsham and Calne, supported by the heavy rescue unit from Trowbridge, are still at scene; other appliances that attended initially have been stood down.
A small fire in the roof space of the building was identified by the police drone and is now being tackled by firefighters, using four breathing apparatus wearers and one hose reel jet.
Everyone who could have been in the building has accounted for – one man suffering from serious burns was initially taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol by South Western Ambulance Service and is now being transferred to Morriston Hospital’s specialist burns unit in Swansea.
Volunteers from the British Red Cross are attending to support those affected by the blast, and Wiltshire Council’s building control have been checking the integrity of the property, which has suffered significant structural damage.
Two people from a neighbouring flat have been provided with alternative accommodation for the night as a precaution, while four other neighbours have been able to stay with family or friends.
A cordon remains in place by the Blue Cross charity shop to St Marys Street by the Tesco junction and up to the Market Place by the small short stay car park and Timber Street. Drivers should continue to avoid the area this evening.
The Service is working with Wilshire Police to determine the cause of the explosion and ensure that the area is safe.
Further updates will now be provided by Wiltshire Police.