Two people have died in fire and 'multiple explosions' as suspected gas blast destroys house in Suffolk Two people died following a fire and reports of explosions in Lidgate, Suffolk Earlier people had been declared missing following a suspected gas blast Emergency services were called to the scene just after 12.15pm on May 7 Firefighter at the scene said the rear of the property was totally destroyed by fireBy Henry Martin For Mailonline Published: 22:19 BST, 7 May 2019 | Updated: 02:19 BST, 8 May 2019 275 shares 1 Viewcomments Two people have died following a suspected gas blast at a bungalow in Suffolk. A firefighter at the scene had said the rear of the property on The Street in Lidgate, near Newmarket, had been 'totally destroyed' by fire, and police were contacted just after 12.15pm to reports of multiple explosions. Suffolk Police said the cause of the blast is currently unknown but a joint investigation between police and the fire service was taking place. The two victims were initially left unaccounted for after the blasts and officers brought in specialist search dogs in a bid to locate them. A police spokesperson said: 'The building has sustained significant structural damage and utility companies have attended the area to ensure the safety of local residents. Emergency services were called to the scene in the village of Lidgate, just after 12.15pm on May 7 Emergency services attend the scene at the home near Newmarket in Suffolk 'The cause of the explosions is currently unknown and a joint police and fire investigation into this incident is now taking place.' A spokesman Suffolk Council said four fire engines attended the scene after reports of an explosion which took just over an hour to be put out, and at least 75% of the building was damaged before it was dealt with. One neighbour told the East Anglian Daily Times that it sounded like ‘a First World War bomb.’ Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, added: ‘My daughter heard a bang and about 20 minutes later, I saw smoke billowing out. ‘Our immediate neighbour said it was pretty loud. I think there were two explosions.’ A firefighter who attended the scene said: 'Three fire engines responded to this and they were faced with multiple explosions in the rear of the property and there was severe structural damage to the property. Police and fire services had advised people to avoid the area if possible while they continue to work at the scene A firefighter at the scene had said 'the rear of the bungalow is totally destroyed by the fire' (pictured: Emergency services near the scene) 'It was quite a big bungalow... and the rear of the bungalow is totally destroyed by the fire.' An aerial photo of the scene shows the detached bungalow’s roof completely collapsed, walls charred black and a garden strewn with bricks and rubble. Darren Reeve, Suffolk Fire and Rescue station commander, said: ‘Crews were called approximately midday to a house fire. ‘They were faced with multiple explosions from the rear of the property. ‘It’s quite a big bungalow and the rear of the bungalow is totally destroyed by fire. ‘It was a very large explosion at the time followed by multiple smaller ones. However, we are still investigating how that occurred. ‘There is extensive structural damage which has slowed down firefighting activities due to the integrity of the building.’ Police and fire services had advised people to avoid the area if possible while they continue to work at the scene. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Suffolk Police on 101 quoting reference CAD 122 of 7 May. Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility