DRAMA The suspected cause of the explosion, which occurred around 4 a.m. Saturday, was a gas leak
A policeman in Jersey (illustration). — GRIMSHAW/CATERS NEWS AGENCY
The tragic toll of the explosion that devastated a residential building at; Jersey continues to get heavier. Rescuers continued to search for survivors on Saturday night. Sunday while the drama left at least three dead.
The head of government of this Channel Island, Kristina Moore, confirmed Saturday evening this review. Above all, it is unfortunately only temporary. A dozen people are missing in fact; the call.
A ball of fire then thick smoke
A gas leak is the presumed cause of the explosion which occurred around 4 a.m. (an hour later in Paris) in the capital of the island, the port of Saint-Helier. Jersey gas supplier Island Energy said work with the emergency services to figure out what happened. The inhabitants had called firefighters, complaining of the smell of gas, according to the police chief. CCTV footage showed a ball of fire engulfing the seaside building, then thick smoke.
“A three-story building has completely collapsed », said local police chief Robin Smith. “There is also damage to a nearby building, another apartment building that firefighters have yet to secure. It’s quite a scary sight,” stressing that the balance sheet and the number of people reported missing and wanted could evolve. Two people were hospitalized.
Kristina Moore, for her part, estimated that clearing the rubble could take “several days” About thirty people were evacuated from the neighborhood and taken to St Helier Town Hall.