Two taken to hospital and homes evacuated after reports of 'explosion' at house in Birkenhead

Emergency services remain at the scene. Credit: Liverpool Echo

Two people have been taken to hospital and several homes have been evacuated after an explosion at a house in Merseyside.

It happened on Holt Road in Tranmere, Merseyside, shortly after 7.40am on Saturday 2 December, MFRS said.

There was no one inside the affected two-story mid terrace by the time Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene at 7.47am.

A building inspector has been requested due to the possible unsafe structures on either side of the affected property. Gas company, Cadent, has also been asked to attend.

A cordon has been set up and is being managed by police and North West Ambulance Service is remaining at the scene as a "precautionary measure".

Wirral Council is also in attendance.

People are being asked to avoid the area.

Emergency services are working to establish the cause of the explosion Credit: Liverpool Echo

A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said crews remain on scene tackling a blaze which broke out in a first floor bedroom following the explosion.

They added: "This is a traditional two storey brick built mid terrace property involved in an explosion. Neighbours have stated to fire service personnel that all persons were out of the property prior to fire service arrival."Fire fighting commenced with one hose reel jet being utilised. A building inspector has been requested due to the possible unsafe structures at either side of the affected property, Cadent have also been requested."Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service are at scene. One main jet and one hose reel jet is in use to fire fight externally. A cordon has been set up and is being managed by police.

"The MFRS Search and Rescue Team (SRT) have been requested for structural monitoring equipment. Properties at either side of the affected premises have been evacuated and gas and electricity has been isolated."Two casualties are in the care of NWAS paramedics and have been conveyed to hospital. Two firefighters in breathing apparatus utilised one hose reel jet to tackle the affected property which was still involved in fire internally."All properties along the road where the affected property is situated have now been evacuated with gas and electrics isolated. NWAS are remaining at scene as a precautionary measure. Wirral Council are also in attendance."

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