Man injured in suspected gas explosion

A man has been injured in a suspected gas explosion at a bungalow.

Thames Valley Police said it was called to Cobb Hall Road in Newton Longville, near Milton Keynes, at about 09:44 BST, after reports of an explosion, fire and collapse of a property.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue said it was a suspected gas explosion at a domestic property and that the injured man had been passed into the care of South Central Ambulance Service.

Police said the injured man was being treated in hospital and gas distribution company SGN said people living nearby had been evacuated from their homes.

The firm said its engineers had isolated the supply to affected premises and were carrying out safety checks in the local area.

It said it was assisting authorities to ensure accommodation was secured for those who had been evacuated from their homes as a safety precaution.

A spokesperson said: "Following reports of an explosion in Cobb Hall Road, Newton Longville, our engineers joined the emergency services on site this morning.

"We understand that a resident has been taken to hospital to receive treatment and our thoughts are with them."

People have been advised to avoid the area and cordons have been put in place while emergency services work at the scene.

Sue Watkins, 65, lives nearby and told the BBC she had been sitting in her garden when she heard two "very loud thuds" and the ground shook at about 09:30.

She said: "There was a bungalow on fire, black; front had been blown off; roof was gone."

"There was a man sitting on the ground outside looking dazed and shocked, people around looking after him."

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