A FAMILY were rescued by firefighters minutes before part of their house collapsed after a huge explosion tore through the property.
The two adults and two children were at home on Mont Pinel in St Saviour when a blast, which could be heard for miles around, blew out their windows and severely damaged the front exterior wall.
They were quickly rescued by fire crews amid fears of a possible second explosion or collapse of the building.
Less than 45 minutes later the front wall gave way – leaving a child’s bunkbed clearly visible in the huge hole left in the side of the home.
The States police yesterday confirmed that the two children, aged two and five, were unharmed and the adults were in a stable condition in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
In a statement, Islands Energy confirmed it was supporting the emergency services and that the cause of the blast was unknown.
Staff from the company could be seen working near the damaged property early yesterday, as the emergency services created a cordon around the scene.
The explosion happened shortly before 11pm on Wednesday, and was quickly declared a major incident.
Speaking to the JEP yesterday morning, neighbour Karen Basile (62) described hearing a “massive bang”.
She added: “It felt like the house shook.
“I was awake and it woke up my sister. We looked out of the window and there were people walking around with torches. We thought maybe a tree had come down or something.
“Everyone then realised it was the house at the top – they were talking about how many were in there.
“The emergency services were amazing, so brave.
“I heard a child, I think it was a little girl, in the front room.”
Ms Basile described the emergency services asking the child questions and the youngster saying: “I haven’t got any socks on.”
Ms Basile added that she heard firefighters say it was a “grab and go” situation.
“They were not screaming or shouting, they were completely in control,” she said.
Her sister Avril Raine (60) said that when she heard the explosion she thought someone had been killed.
“There was a massive bang, the house vibrated and then everyone was out. Then all the emergency services started to arrive.
“The noise was so loud, I thought: ‘No one’s going to survive that.’”
Another neighbour described how he was asleep in bed when he was woken by a “massive blast”.
“I don’t know what caused it but it was very powerful,” he said.
“The front of the property has gone and you can now see inside the property and there is debris all over my van.
“The firefighters were at the scene and they got everyone to safety, which is the main thing.”
Several nearby properties were evacuated and the area outside the homes – near the Merton Hotel – was cordoned off.
In a statement yesterday afternoon, the States police said: “At 10.57pm on Wednesday, emergency services were called to a suspected unexplained explosion at a property in Le Mont Pinel.
“A family of four – two adults and two children (aged 2 and 5) – were rescued from the property and transported to the General Hospital.
“The two children were unharmed and are being supported. The two adults remain in hospital in a stable condition with non-life-threatening or life-changing injuries.
“Structural engineers will attend the property, and three neighbouring properties, to assess the structural integrity of the sites before investigations can begin.
“The Government of Jersey is supporting 19 displaced residents with accommodation and further essentials.
“A major incident was declared but has now been stood down, with the incident moving to a recovery phase.
“The scene is secure and States of Jersey Police remain on site.”
St Saviour Constable Kevin Lewis said that the parish hall had been opened for displaced residents, but those affected had later gone to stay with friends or family.
“The parish has a system in place for these types of eventualities,” he said.
The blast happened less than 18 months after the Haut du Mont explosion which claimed the lives of ten residents. A police investigation into that incident remains ongoing.
An Islands Energy spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are supporting the emergency services who are dealing with an incident that occurred just before 11pm in the vicinity of Le Mont Pinel, St Saviour.
“The incident is being investigated and the cause remains unknown.”
Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said that the government was providing support to the affected families, and added: “We are assured that the emergency services are dealing with the incident and that the site is being secured. Our thoughts are with the family affected and those who have been displaced as a result.”
