At least three injured as flats collapse in town centre blast

A building collapsed in Shrewsbury in what is believed to be a gas blast, a spokesman for West Mercia Police said.

Police, ambulance and fire services all attended the scene, which was cordoned off after the late-morning incident.

The spokesman said: “We have a number of casualties and it’s been declared to be a major incident. The scene is quite bad.”

The explosion happened at a block of flats on the corner of Bridge Street and Smithfield Road, near Welsh Bridge, police said.

So far there are known to be three casualties, two of whom have serious injuries.

One was taken to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham suffering severe burns while the other was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital with spinal injuries.

Roads near the scene of the explosion were closed and drivers were warned to expect long delays and congestion.

Witness Pamela Salter, 62, whose flat overlooks the area, described how her building shook with the force of the explosion.

She said: “I think everyone heard it. It was a huge noise and a huge vibration. The building shook.”