Road closures around Cloes Lane, Clacton will remain in place overnight as police and fire investigators work to establish the cause of a gas explosion that left nine people in hospital.
In a statement released this evening, Essex Police said: “A police cordon and various road closures will remain in place in the area for security purposes as well as for safety reasons.
“This cordon and the road closures will remain in place overnight, with police reassessing the situation throughout Thursday.”
The explosion happened just before 8.30am this morning, and two homes were blown apart by the blast with many more damaged.
Nine people were taken to various hospitals in the county after sustaining a variety of injuries.
Officers are now working with the fire and rescue service as well as other agencies to clear debris from the property and surrounding area, with crime scene investigators recovering evidence which may help ascertain the cause.
The police statement said: “At this stage, Essex Police is the lead agency with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service assisting the force’s crime scene investigators at the scene.”
More updates to follow throughout the evening.
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