Portsmouth: Man and woman seriously injured in explosion at a house in Portsmouth

A man and a woman have been seriously injured in an explosion at a house in Portsmouth.

South Central Ambulance Service said it responded to reports of an explosion at a property on Nelson Avenue before 2pm.

An air ambulance, two ambulance crews and four ambulance officers were part of rescue operations along with more than 30 firefighters, police officers, power companies and local authorities.

Firefighters remain at the scene after tackling a fire in the property, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said.

"The ambulance teams have been assessing and treating two patients one male, one female, both adults, who are in a serious condition," a statement from the ambulance service said.

"Both patients have been treated at the scene by all our crews and taken by ambulance accompanied by the ambulance crew and air ambulance crew, to University Hospital Southampton.

"Our ambulance crews have left scene and our Hazardous Area Response Team will remain on scene."

Fire crews from Cosham, Portchester, Southsea, Havant and Emsworth were called to deal with a blaze on the first floor and roof space of the terraced property.

The cause of the fire will be investigated in due course.

Hampshire Police said that road closures were in place and residents are urged to avoid the area.

Paige Emery, who lives nearby, said the firefighters took around 20 minutes to put out the blaze.

She told Portsmouth News: "I heard a proper loud bang it was so loud and powerful it shook my whole house."