Desperate hunt for 12 missing victims continues as death toll rises to three

A dozen people are still missing and three people have died after an explosion in Jersey on Saturday morning flattened a block of flats.  

Emergency services were called to Haut du Mont flats in St Helier just before 4am amid reports of a major incident. Locals were woken by what sounded like an earthquake as their houses shook and windows shattered.

Many rushed from their homes to the street to see the blaze had lit up the night sky, the air thick with plumes of smoke billowing from the building - which had completely crumbled - and debris strewn across the street.

A search and rescue operation is still underway in an attempt to find people trapped in the rubble, but the scene is reportedly 'very dangerous' for first responders. Crews have vowed to 'not stop searching' for survivors as night falls.

Jersey Police chief officer Robin Smith said: 'It is a scene of utter devastation. It has completely collapsed. It doesn't even look like a building was.  The number one priority is working out if there's anyone alive in that debris.'

Jersey Fire & Rescue said 'pockets of fire' are still being discovered in the wreckage. Two 'walking wounded' were rushed to hospital but have since been released.

A spokesman also acknowledged this evening that a fire crew attended the address at 8.36pm on Friday evening after receiving complaints from residents.  

Have you been affected by the explosion? Email [email protected] 

Jersey Consumer Council Chairman Carl Walker said the blast was so powerful it was picked up on the British Geological Survey's earthquake monitors.

Mr Smith earlier said: 'Following the explosion this morning at Haut du Mont, Pier Road, a number of residents are still missing.'

He noted the search and rescue operation will likely take 'a number of days', and said the three-storey building had completely collapsed.

'From a demolition point of view, it's like a pancake that has dropped almost straight down... It is considerable destruction... It is a devastating scene, I regret to say.

While he urged the public to avoid speculation, he said: 'There needs to be a recognition that we could have more fatalities.'

When asked how many people were thought to be missing, he said: 'Given the destruction of the building it is hard to properly assess the numbers.

'We are looking in the region of around a dozen, currently. That number could fluctuate, but that's the number we're operating to.'

A fire caused by the explosion has now been extinguished, but emergency services are still 'carrying out significant work' at the scene, which is cordoned off. People have been asked to avoid the area.

Locals have also been urged to avoid the hospital's emergency department unless absolutely necessary to ensure the resources can be adequately used to treat victims.

It has not yet been established what caused the explosion, but Jersey's gas supplier, Island Energy, has issued a statement, reading: 'We are working with @JsyFire to understand exactly what has happened.

'[We] will share more information once it is available. We ask that islanders continue to follow the advice given by emergency services at this time.'

It was also revealed residents in the block called fire services last night to report an issue with the flats.

Mr Smith confirmed on Saturday morning the fire brigade had attended the scene earlier in the evening. He said police would investigate 'whether or not there was a safety issue' regarding gas supplies.

Anthony Abbott, who lives in the Haut du Mont complex, told ITV he and his family felt 'lucky'  to have survived the explosion.

'There was debris everywhere. Our windows had all come in. We got a few clothes on, got out of the building, helped people down the stairs and we were all escorted  away from the scene.

'We're lucky. There may be some people who may not be. There are people that we knew... I haven't seen them as yet.' 

Byron Hatton, 50, was at home with his wife at the time of the blast shortly before 4am - and was woken by the loud noise.

He described springing out of bed as the 'house shook' and he first wondered if a 'mini earthquake' had occurred.

Mr Hatton questioned whether 'a car had crashed into the house' at their home just outside Bingham Court, Saint Helier, before seeing plumes of smoke.

The IT manager said: 'The first bang was absolutely massive, it shook the house. Then there were two smaller explosions.

'It woke everyone in the area up - I could see all the lights coming on through the windows of people's homes trying to work out what had happened. All anyone could see from our area was smoke - huge plumes of smoke and ash.'

After checking his family were okay, he donned his coat and went out onto the road to see what had happened before being stopped by a police officer.

He added: 'We were all out in woolly hats, pyjamas and jackets, maybe 10 or 15 of us. Pier Road was absolute carnage, there was ash and debris everywhere but we couldn't get any closer.'

'Being realistic, it would be an absolute miracle if people survived. I feel so sorry for people that may have lost their lives.' 

Mr Hatton said he spent around 45 minutes at the top of his road with a police officer, who 'was pretty shaken up' as he continued his night shift.

He said: 'We need to respect our emergency services right now, they must be going through Hell to see the things they are seeing.'

Janice Byrne, who lives across the street from the flats, said she was 'nearly thrown out of bed at 3.39am' after the explosion.

'I was in shock as I heard a massive bang and the building shook. I was able to look out on my balcony to see some houses in the distance on fire.' 

Daniel Hunt, a 19-year-old data administrator, said the explosion also woke him at around 4am.

'My bedroom was shaken from the explosion with the windows rattling, which was all very unnerving,' he said.

'I went outside to take a look... I could see what looked like police and firefighters shining torches through windows of surrounding buildings.

'I assume as they were evacuating the surrounding area. The building (was) up in flames with smoke pouring out of the windows. To have this happen so close and so early in the morning you don't know what to think.'

Another said: 'I've never heard an explosion like it... there was glass all over the road... It's done a lot of damage where we live, all the neighbours have been out since 4am cleaning glass.

'It's a really bad thing to happen toward Christmas for everybody. My prayers go out to everybody.'  

The flats were owned by public housing company Andium Homes, which is owned by the Jersey government. 

Now, the remainder of the residents are being cared for at St Helier Town Hall, where they're being provided bedding, clothing and anything else they may need.

Jersey's chief minister Kristina Moore said the area would be under investigation for 'some days' as she expressed condolences to families affected.

Speaking alongside Mr Smith at the conference, she said: 'It's a huge shock to everyone this morning, but in the first instance our condolences go to the families who are affected and we're all thinking and praying for those who are worried about their loved ones.

'We all share in their concern.' Ms Moore said she would keep islanders updated as investigations continue.

UK Justice Secretary Dominic Raab issued a statement to say he is 'deeply saddened' by the tragedy.

Jersey Police has set up a support line where concerned residents can request information about family members affected by the major incident. 

The public are urged to call 0800 735 5566 (Freeline) or 01534 445566, rather than police.