Picture: JERSEY FIRE AND RESCUE (37130134)

TWO people were taken to hospital in the early hours of today following an explosion and fire in a property in St Ouen.

Firefighters, police and paramedics were called out following the blast within an oil heating system supplying nine homes.

The fire spread within the roof of the building and sent smoke pouring through the property.

In a statement, Jersey Fire and Rescue Service said: “Due to large amounts of smoke, eight residents were evacuated with the assistance of the States police, and a further two residents were transported to hospital for smoke inhalation.”

At the height of the incident, 14 firefighters and three engines were at the scene.