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'Gas explosion' rocks Laleham street
A man was airlifted to hospital and his neighbours were evacuated following an explosion in Greene Fielde End on Friday afternoon.
The blast - thought to be a gas explosion - occured at about 1.15pm and the emergency services cordoned off the road, while The National Grid was called in to turn off the gas.
Police confirmed that a man was found at the scene of the explosion with "serious injuries" and was flown by helicoptor to Broomfield Hospital in Essex.
Fifteen residents were evacuated to nearby Berryscroft Court sheltered home while police made the area safe.
Meanwhile people living on the Arnold Road estate reported hearing a blast - and shudders could be felt up to a mile away.
Anthony Osborne of Carlyle Road said: "It was like a bomb going off - I felt the whole house shake."
Nathalie Davey, 30, of Fielde Greene End, said: "I was inside and I heard an explosion, it was like the noise of a thunderstorm but much longer, so I knew something was wrong. I looked out the window and saw fire coming from the bungalows window and that the roof was damaged.
"There was no smoke though, just fire. I called the fire service, they came really quickly. I just hoped that no-one was inside."
Pictures by Carl Davey
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typical james always at the centre of trouble always hurting him self