Swansea has declared a serious incident after a suspected gas explosion severely leveled a house and most of the nearby property.
A “big blast” was heard by locals near Clydach Road, on the outskirts of the city, just after 11 a.m. on Monday.
Those living a mile away claimed the explosion “shook the home” and rattled their windows, and an onslaught of tweets stated the boom could be heard at least eight miles distant.
Fire crews from five different stations were scrambled to the scene and several people reported seeing an air ambulance in attendance.
The blast also appears to have blown out several windows and burned exterior fixtures on at least two more surrounding buildings.
Emergency services warned people to ‘avoid the area’ as the incident was still ‘ongoing’ at midday on Monday.
The sound was heard across a mile-wide radius, according to tweets from people claiming to live in the area.
Emma Kavanagh wrote: ‘Felt like the last earthquake we had. I thought our chimney had come down!’
A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service told Metro.co.uk: ‘At 11.20am on Monday, March 13th, crews from Morriston, Swansea West, Neath, Gorseinon and Port Talbot were called to an incident in Morriston following several reports of a gas explosion.
‘As well as Fire and Rescue Service Crews, South Wales Police and the Welsh Ambulance Service are in attendance.
‘South Wales Police have declared a major incident, no further information is available at this time. For more information, please contact South Wales Police.’
Leader of Swansea Council Rob Stewart said: ‘A major incident has been declared after a suspected gas explosion in Morriston. Emergency teams are responding.
‘It is not known at this time if there are any injuries or fatalities or individuals trapped in the rubble.
‘My thoughts are with residents at this time.’