One adult and two children seriously injured after explosion at house in Wales

24 June 2020, 16:19

A house has "exploded" in South Wales
A house has "exploded" in South Wales. Picture: Facebook

By Kate Buck

One adult and two children have been seriously injured in an explosion at a house in South Wales.

Emergency services were called to the home in Church Road, Seven Sisters, shortly after 2pm this afternoon.

All three are seriously injured. The two children have been transported by air ambulance to Southmead Hospital, Bristol and the adult was taken by ambulance to Morriston Hospital, Swansea.

Pictures from the scene show the house completely obliterated from the blast.

14 properties have been evacuated and the road will remain closed overnight.

A police spokeswoman said: "South Wales Police received numerous reports of an explosion at a property in Church Road, Seven Sisters, on Wednesday at 2.05pm.

"A number of properties and vehicles in the street have been damaged and the area has been evacuated.

Cars have also been damaged on the street
Cars have also been damaged on the street. Picture: Kirsten Allison Williams

"Three people, one adult and two children, have been injured in the incident.

"We remain at scene with emergency service colleagues and ask people to continue to avoid the area at this time."

In an updated statement, they added: "The two injured children have been transported by air ambulance to Southmead Hospital, Bristol and the adult was taken by ambulance to Morriston Hospital, Swansea. Their injuries are described as serious.

"The road will remain closed overnight and diversions are being put in place.

"Around 14 properties have been evacuated and Neath Port Talbot Council have opened a rest centre with full support for these residents.

"The cause of the explosion is under investigation."

Local resident Kirsten Williams, 24, was in the garden of her mother and father-in-law down the road from the property when they heard the explosion.

She said: "The conservatory shook. A massive bang.

"My mother-in-law suggested a car crash or a lorry. I said no, that's an explosion.

Residents survey the damage
Residents survey the damage. Picture: Kirsten Allison Williams

"My father-in-law rushed up the drive and saw people running across the road and called us up.

"I grabbed my 17-month-old son and off we went to see.

"What shook me the most was a small baby teddy bear was there laying on top of a car roof."

The Welsh Ambulance Service said five emergency vehicles responded to the scene, while an air ambulance also attended.

A spokesman said: "We were called on Wednesday 24 June at approximately 14.05pm to reports of an explosion in a residential area of Seven Sisters near Neath.

"We responded with five vehicles of the Hazardous Area Response Team, one rapid response vehicle, two emergency ambulances and one specialised medical team and we received the support of the Wales Air Ambulance.

"One patient was transported by road ambulance to Morriston Hospital, Swansea, and two patients were transported by air ambulance to Southmead Hospital, Bristol."