The massive explosion near the Devon holiday park completely tore apart a home on a quiet street, forcing police and firefighters to shut down a street leading to Ladram Bay
Shocking images from the aftermath of a suspected gas explosion near a major holiday park show a blown apart, almost completely levelled home.
Emergency services rushed to Ladram Bay in Otterton, near the Ladram Bay Holiday Park, this afternoon after shockwaves ripped apart a property in the east Devon village. Police and fire crews were forced to shut a local road for safety while responding to the incident, with Devon and Cornwall Police saying in a statement that the route between Otterton Village and Ladram Bay would have to shut “for some time”.
Pictures taken at the scene show debris flung across the grass bank of a leafy suburb, with smoke emerging from the wreckage producing a haze. It comes after video emerged of the incredible moment a train smashes into van on level crossing – but driver survives.
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A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police told Devon Live that local residents, farmers and Ladram Bay park staffers were first at the scene this afternoon, and that the service is working on the assumption the explosion was caused by gas.
They said: “We are assisting our colleagues in the fire service as they respond to a suspected gas explosion at a house in Otterton. There are no reported injuries. Officers have closed the road from Otterton Village to Ladram Bay for public safety and to facility emergency service access.
“The road is expected to remain closed for some time while the incident is ongoing. We would also like to thank local residents, farmers and staff at Ladram Bay who initially responded to the incident.”
A spokesperson for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue said the service also believed a gas explosion may have been the cause, adding five fire engines were sent to the scene. They added that everyone in the area has been accounted for, with no injuries suspected.
They said: “We currently have five appliances in attendance at an incident following a suspected gas explosion at a detached property on Ladram Road near Otterton at around 11.30am this morning.
“The property has been completely destroyed and was well alight on arrival. Crews split the incident into two sectors to bring the fire under control and prevent it from spreading. All persons have been accounted for, and there are no reports of any injuries. A spokesperson for Ladram Bay Holiday Park said in their own statement that the park would keep visitors updated as the local closures continued.
They said: “Due to circumstances out of our control, the road in and out to Ladram Bay Holiday Park is currently closed. We will keep you updated once we know more. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.”