Tragedy as man dies following house collapse in Clayton-le-Woods

Emergency services were called to Kirkby Avenue in Clayton-le-Woods on Friday afternoon, after receiving reports of an explosion.

When they arrived, they found a house was on fire and it quickly became apparant that the property had pretty much collapsed, with damage done to the adjoining house. 

Roads were closed, homes evacuated and cordons erected in the vicinity as firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.

It was not clear initially whether anyone was inside the property at the time of the explosion.

A major search operation was therefore launched to ascertain whether there were any casualties and at the height of the incident, eight fire appliances, the aerial ladder platform, the urban search and rescue team, the air unit and the fire service dog unit were all involved. 

Later on Friday it was sadly announced that a man in his 50s had died in the explosion. 

A spokesperson for the police said on Friday night: "We remain at the scene of a suspected explosion at an address on Kirkby Avenue in Clayton-le-Woods

"Emergency services were called at around 1.30pm today (Friday, October 15) to a report a house had collapsed.

"We can now sadly confirm that one person has died, believed at this stage to be a man in his 50s.

"His next of kin have been informed and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.

"A joint investigation between Lancashire Police and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service into the cause of the incident remains in its early stages and is on-going.

"A cordon remains in place around the property.

"Local authority partners are assisting with welfare for a number of people evacuated from neighbouring properties."

Roads were re-opened around 8pm and people were allowed back into their homes.

At first, it was suspected the explosion was caused by leaking gas, but that has not been confirmed and a joint investigation into the cause has now been launched.

Firefighters remained at the scene for most of Friday evening.

The spokesperson for the police continued: "A joint investigation was launched with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service into the cause of the incident and is in its early stages.

"While a corden remains around the property, a number of the surrounding roads have now reopened and residents have been able to return to their homes.

"Local authority partners are assisting with welfare for residents whose houses are within the closure area still in place on Kirkby Avenue and Claughton Avenue."