Two taken to hospital after gas explosion rocks Newbury

A huge explosion in south Newbury forced residents to be evacuated from their homes in the early hours of this morning.

Firefighters confirmed a gas canister in a shed in the back garden of a property in Bodin Gardens exploded at around 1.20am, leading to a huge fire which destroyed neighbouring gardens, fences and spread to the treeline along the east side of the A339.

Eyewitnesses say a bonfire had been burning in the back garden of the property before the explosion.

Fire services were called, and four engines from Newbury Fire Station, Hungerford and Theale worked with hoses to extinguish the fire.

Two people were treated at the scene for burn injuries and taken to hospital.

Eye witnesses say the fire was started by a late night bonfire which then spread to a shed where gas canisters were kept.

Residents at four properties were evacuated, but were allowed back into their homes by around 3.30am.

Newbury Fire Station manager Phil Knight said: "Four crews attended a large fire in the rear garden of properties in Bodin Gardens this morning.

"We had reports of explosions.

"Two persons were treated by the ambulance service and taken to hospital.

"The fire is not suspicious.

"Crews remained there for around two hours and a crew is checking the scene this morning."

A spokesperson for South Central Ambulance Service said: "We were notified at 1.24am by one of our crews who were in the local area of a fire/explosion.

"We sent to the scene an ambulance crew, paramedic team leader and our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

"They were assessing and treating two patients at the scene for their injuries and following treatment at the scene by all our crews they were subsequently taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital."

Watch a video of the aftermath of the fire here