Haxby explosion: ‘Major incident’ declared after house left completely flattened on suburban street

Residents warned to stay indoors after explosion rocks town in North Yorkshire this morning

A major incident has been declared after an explosion on a suburban street left a house completely flattened.

Extraordinary pictures reveal the devastation in Haxby, North Yorkshire, this morning.

Residents reported hearing an explosion at around 7.30am.

What appears to be a detached home has been left a pile of rubble, while neighbouring homes are also damaged.

It is currently not known if there are any injuries.

North Yorkshire police said: "Emergency services are currently at the scene of an explosion at a property in Spingwood Haxby extensive damage & area cordoned off."

The local PCSO on the scene warned residents to stay indoors.

Scene in #Haxby in #York this morning after reports of large bang pic.twitter.com/xcdl1ckz6b

— Sarah (@Sarah_Urwin) 19 Лютий 2016

She wrote on Twitter: "Members of the public are urged to stay indoors whilst fire, ambulance & police attend a major incident in Haxby"

Local residents spoke of hearing the loud explosion this morning.

One wrote on Twitter: "That picture of the house in Haxby is mental, we're probably about half a mile away and it shook the whole house. Hope nobody was inside."

Another added: "Bizarre start to the morning. House in the next street blowing up. Just hope it was empty. Feel for neighbours 2"

"There was a large explosion around Springwood area, people all over Haxby could hear it and it made all of our houses shake!," wrote another.

Police have set up a relief centre for those affected at nearby Haxby Memorial Hall.