Chorley Police said they are currently at the scene of a suspected gas explosion on Kirkby Avenue in Clayton-le-Woods, Lancashire.

       The force said they were called at around 1.30pm on Friday to a report that a house had collapsed.

       Officers remain at the scene alongside emergency services from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and the Ambulance Service.

       It is not yet clear if anyone was injured in the blast.

       Eight fire engines, the urban search and rescue team, an aerial ladder platform and the air support unit are in attendance, Lancashire Fire and Rescue said.

       A safety cordon has been put in place and nearby residents have been evacuated.

       Road closures have also been put in place and the force has advised people to avoid the area.

       The fire brigade have urged locals to close windows and doors to avoid being affected by smoke.

       'Too early to say what caused this'

       A spokesman for Lancashire's gas emergency service Cadent said: "We are at the scene of this incident to support the emergency services and ensure everything related to gas is safe. It is too early to say what caused this.

       "We'll thoroughly check the local gas network and we will support the authorities as they look into all possible causes."