Cumbria Police continued to work through the night to secure the area after a suspected gas explosion in Whitehaven.

Cumbria Police stated just after 4:23pm on Tuesday, December 31, they received a call about a suspected gas explosion. 

Hugh Street was cordoned off and residents were evacuated from their homes following the incident.

Three people were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, police said.

They have since been discharged.

Work was on-going, including work to make the area safe and a cordon remains in place while this work, as well as the investigation into the cause, continues. 

Cumbria Police explained that displaced residents had either found their own accommodation with family or friends or had been supported by Cumberland Council to find alternative accommodation. 

A number of animals were also rescued by Police.

Superintendent Paddy O’Hara of Cumbria Police has led the multi-agency response to the incident.

He said: “Police and partners are likely to continue to be in attendance and working at the scene through the night.

“I’d like to thank the local people impacted by this unexpected event for their resourcefulness and patience, as well as emergency service partners, the local authority and other partner agencies for their work following this incident.

“Finally I would like to give particular thanks to the police officers who first responded to the incident. Their efforts to assist people resulted in their being briefly hospitalised with smoke inhalation but I’m pleased to report they have since been discharged from hospital.”