A HOUSE was "burned to a cinder" within half-an-hour after a gas blast that sound like a "bomb going off".
People living in Kirkby Avenue, an entirely residential street in village Clayton-le-Woods, Lancashire, ran from their homes following the explosion at 1.30pm.
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A home in Lancashire burned to cinders within half an hour after a huge gas explosion today Credit: David Nelson 3
It's not known if anyone has been injured in the horror Credit: David Nelson
Police raced to the scene after receiving panicked 999 calls reporting that a semi-detached house had "collapsed".
It's not yet known if anyone was injured. However, witnesses say an air ambulance has landed nearby.
Aerial photographs from the street show a scene of a devastation.
Firefighters atop a ladder can be seen aiming jets of water into the blackened shell of a property.
The house has been completely torn apart in the explosion, while a house next door is badly damaged, with tiles torn from the roof.
Those living in the street said their own homes "shook" with the force of the ignition.
Neighbour Barry Kemp told The Sun: “There was a massive explosion and the house burst into flames.
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“Within 30 minutes the house was burnt to cinder.
"There was nothing left of it. It sounded like a bomb going off.
“I have never seen a house collapse so quickly.”
His wife Ingrid said she heard an "almighty bang" while ironing.
“I looked out of the window and there were flames coming from the lounge," she said.
"The windows had blown out. The house quickly set on fire.”
A police spokesperson said: "Our officers are at the scene along with our colleagues from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and the ambulance service.
'LIKE A BOMB GOING OFF'
"A safety cordon has been put in place and nearby residents have been evacuated.
"Road closures have been put in place and people are being advised to avoid the area."
The fire service said: "Six fire engines and an aerial ladder platform are in attendance at an explosion involving a house."
They urged neighbours to "please close windows and doors" if they're affected by smoke.
"A number of neighbouring properties have been evacuated and a safety cordon has been established," the spokesperson added.
"Road closures are also in place and people are advised to avoid the area."
NEIGHBOURS EVACUATED
The ambulance service has refused to confirm if paramedics are treating any casualties.
However, they've confirmed their hazardous area response team is at the scene, along with an ambulance and a specially-trained trauma doctor.
Locals have taken to social media to speak of their shock.
One woman, who lives in the house opposite, said the explosion "shook the whole place" - adding: "Very scary."
Another said: "Just drove past this - a lot of ambulances, fire engines and police.
"Hope everyone is ok."
Another said she'd heard the blast while at work.
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Neighbours said the explosion rocked their homes Credit: LancsLive/MEN
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