Up to eight people have been injured after a gas explosion destroyed a flat in West Yorkshire.
The explosion was heard in the Hick Lane area of the town of Batley between 6.30pm and 7pm today, with a bomb disposal van at the scene.
The white lorry - emblazoned with Royal Logistics Corps Bomb Disposal - was seen driving towards the cordon with flashing blue lights and sirens.
Police said 'a number of people' received burns and are being treated in hospital but their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Four people injured were men aged between 35 and 39.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was extinguished and crews were likely to remain on scene overnight due to concerns over the structural stability of the two-storey block.
Witnessesshared photos of the aftermath of the explosion on social media, expressing their shock
Emergency services at the scene of a suspected gas explosion in Batley, West Yorkshire, which injured at least three people
One woman revealed how she was sitting on the sofa at home when she heard the bang, with her kitchen walls caving in.
Zoe Palmer told the Examiner: 'I was sat on the sofa and my partner had just gone to Tesco and there was a big almighty explosion and the kitchen wall came through and the windows and some bloke dragged me through the window to get me out to help. I'm shaken'.
Hannah Patel told Mail Online: 'I was just around the corner from the explosion. There was a huge boom and I presume a fire as the whole sky was filled with smoke.
One woman revealed how she was sitting on the sofa at home when she heard the bang, with her kitchen walls caving in
'I'm presuming this road is still closed and now all cars are being diverted. The whole of the local streets are full of traffic trying to get through.'
Fire crews, ambulances, police and a police helicopter were all spotted near the scene of the explosion.
One witness in a nearby building told the BBC: 'I've never heard anything like it.
'I came rushing
