LAST UPDATE | 10 Dec 2022

AT LEAST THREE people have died following an explosion and fire at a block of flats on the island of Jersey.

The deaths came at around 4am this morning after a huge blast which caused the three-storey building to collapse.

Chief Minister Kristina Moore announced that at least three people had died, with a search and rescue operation for further people ongoing.

She said it was an “unimaginable tragedy” for the Channel Island.

Chief of States of Jersey Police Robin Smith said: “This is a protracted incident and this is going to go on for days, maybe weeks, and therefore it is important to have resources to continue to keep going.”

Smoke billowed above the blaze at around 4am this morning after the huge blast, which caused the three-storey building to collapse.

Police warned there could be more casualties after it was confirmed one person had died and two “walking wounded” were taken to hospital.

Jersey Fire and Rescue said more pockets of fire were discovered at the scene.

In a statement, the service said: “As the search at Haut du Mont has progressed, pockets of fire have been discovered.

“The site remains highly unsafe.

“A South West hazardous area response team are on site and will be joined by an urban search and rescue team from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service.”

Following the explosion this morning at Haut du Mont, Pier Road a number of residents are still missing. Emergency services are working at the scene and have commenced a surface search of the site. Relatives are being contacted by Family Liaison Officers.

— States of Jersey Police (@JerseyPolice) December 10, 2022

When asked how many people were thought to be missing, Smith said: “Given the destruction of the building it is hard to properly assess the numbers.

“We are looking in the region of around a dozen, currently.

“That number could fluctuate, but that’s the number we’re operating to.”

Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, is a self-governing Crown Dependency, meaning it is not part of the UK or the Commonwealth but King Charles’s reign extends to the island.

Daniel Hunt, a 19-year-old data administrator, who lives across the bay, told the PA news agency the explosion woke him at around 4am.

“My bedroom was shaken from the explosion with the windows rattling, which was all very unnerving,” he said.

“I went outside to take a look… I could see what looked like police and firefighters shining torches through windows of surrounding buildings. I assume as they were evacuating the surrounding area.

“The building (was) up in flames with smoke pouring out of the windows.

“To have this happen so close and so early in the morning you don’t know what to think.”

Jersey Channel islands explosion pic.twitter.com/KqEUDtyqTo

— Daniel Hunt (@just_daniel1411) December 10, 2022

When asked whether there are likely to be more deaths, Smith said: “I wouldn’t want to speculate on those sorts of things … but there has to be a recognition that we could have more fatalities.”

The police chief said the building is managed by Andium Homes, and their chief executive is “working very hard to look after” those affected.

Smith said police would investigate “whether or not there was a safety issue” regarding gas supplies.

Andium Homes, a state-owned but independent company which rents out thousands of properties on the island, said on Twitter: “We are working with the emergency services responding to the incident at Haut du Mont this morning.

“Our focus at the moment is on supporting our residents on that estate. Our thoughts are with them and their families at this time.”

Emergency services have told Jersey residents to avoid using A&E apart from in an emergency, and police have advised people to avoid the area of the blast, which has been cordoned off.

Police said while the fire has been extinguished, emergency services are still “carrying out significant work” at the scene.

The force also said in a statement: “Following the explosion this morning at Haut du Mont, Pier Road, a number of residents are still missing.

“Emergency services are working at the scene and have commenced a surface search of the site.

“Relatives are being contacted by family liaison officers.”