Jersey explosion: No survivors found in search after blaston December 11, 2022 at 8:32 am

Emergency workers are continuing to search the remains of a block of flats in Jersey after an explosion left three people dead and a dozen missing.

Chief Minister Kristina Moore said “every second counts” in the multi-agency search.

Specialist teams and a search dog are on the scene, following the collapse in St Helier on Saturday morning.

Island police chief officer Robin Smith described the scene in Pier Road as “complete devastation”.

A video, tweeted by the island’s government, shows piles of rubble and a crushed car behind the police cordon.

Ms Moore told the BBC she was woken by the blast.

“Across the island you could hear this extraordinary sound,” she said.

“It was not quite clear what it was but it certainly woke myself and many people.

“It’s unthinkable news, we’re all absolutely devastated and really concerned for the people who are involved, for those whose lives have been lost.

“Those families will get the answers they need,” she said.

“We’re so grateful to the emergency services and everybody who is absolutely committed to searching through the rubble to find everybody.

“Of course we all know, in these situations every second counts.”

Specialist teams from the UK’s Ministry of Defence and fire services have been supporting local crews in the search for survivors.

They include the South West Hazardous Area Response Team, alongside an Urban Search and Rescue Team from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service.

Chief fire officer Paul Brown earlier told a press conference: “The primary challenge is the fact that we have a dangerous structure that has collapsed.

“Anything that we do, or do in the wrong way, may then jeopardise the chance of survival of anyone who might be rescued.”

Two people who were in hospital earlier have been released and one other person is receiving treatment.

The blast happened at about 04:00 GMT on Saturday.

Police chief Mr Smith said “there are a number of working hypotheses” as to what had happened but warned people “not to speculate”.

He added: “Thankfully these circumstances are very rare but nevertheless they are of deep concern to communities.”

Jersey’s gas supplier, Island Energy, said it was working with the fire service to understand what had happened.

It was earlier confirmed the fire service had attended the scene on Friday night after the smell of gas was reported.

The chief fire officer was asked if the call on Friday had had anything to do with the cause of the explosion.

Mr Brown said: “I will give you an answer to that but what I’d like to do for the moment is focus on the emergency response, talk to my colleagues and consider those bits that are subject to investigation and make sure I don’t tell you something that I need to tell someone else first.”

Ms Moore said “all the facts will have to be gathered” and there would be a “full investigation”.

The three-storey building which collapsed is owned by Andium Homes which is a state-owned but independent company that rents out properties.

It said it was focusing on supporting residents at the estate.

Ms Moore said residents displaced by the blast were being found somewhere to stay.

“This is going to take some days and we will keep everyone updated and fully informed, and we will do our very best to ensure everybody is properly looked after,” she added.

The Town Church opened on Saturday evening for islanders to light candles and pay respects to those who had died.

Justice Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab tweeted he was “deeply saddened” by the news.

“I commend the work of the emergency services responding and we stand ready to support in any way we can,” he said.

The incident comes days after three fishermen were reported missing following a collision at sea on Thursday.

Ms Moore said: “It’s been a really tough week, it’s just been unprecedented.

“Two very different tragedies, but I think it showed the resilience we have and the amazing emergency response that we have been able to muster, but also the companionship of our near neighbours who have joined in our efforts and we’re really grateful to them.”

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