Merthyr Tydfil explosion: Two teens hurt, three in hospital

Five people have been taken to hospital, with two teenagers seriously injured, after a suspected gas blast.

Police were called to a house in Glanmor Gardens, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, at 22:30 GMT on Wednesday.

The woman, 18, and a man, 19, are being treated for burn injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

The gas company, Wales and West Utilities, said the area had been made safe with no leaks detected after gas safety checks were carried out.

Nearby residents were evacuated and the cause is being investigated.

'Structural damage'

Wales and West Utilities officials were at the scene earlier, along with electrical firm SSE.

"We were called to reports of an explosion at a property in the Glanmor Gardens area of Dowlais last night and immediately sent a team of engineers to attend," a spokesperson for Wales & West Utilities said.

"On arrival, we found that there had been structural damage to the property and the emergency services were in control of the scene."

The company said it had worked with emergency services to make the area safe and carried out all necessary gas safety checks.

No gas leaks have been detected on the gas mains in the local area.

"The cause of the explosion is not yet known and is still being investigated by the emergency services," the spokesperson added.

"Our engineers will continue to support the emergency services as they carry out their work and investigate the cause of the explosion."

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews attended the scene and successfully extinguished the fire by about 23:46.

The occupants from two houses, including the home affected, have not yet been allowed to return, South Wales Police added.

Insp Jon Duckham from South Wales Police said his thoughts were with those affected and thanked residents for their patience, support and understanding.

At the scene: BBC Wales reporter David Grundy

A brick wall on the house has been left with a gaping hole, leaving the back and side of the property buckling.

At the back, part of the downstairs wall has been blown out.

The home, in Glanmor Gardens, which adjoins Hermon Close, also has a window blown out and damaged guttering.

Blinds and curtains can be seen blowing in the wind.

About half of the render on the gable end of the house is missing.

The building looks to be on the brink of collapse.

It has been cordoned off by police, with forensics officers in attendance.