A massive blast, believed to have been caused by a gas leak, has flattened buildings in a town near Liverpool, England.
Witnesses told ITV the blast, on the Wirral peninsula across the River Mersey from the Liverpool town centre, made the ground shake.
Emergency services have rushed to the scene. Photos posted on social media show bricks and shattered glass scattered across the street.
"There has been a suspected gas explosion resulting in a building collapse," a fire spokesperson said.
"We are liaising with police and the ambulance service."
It's not known what kind of buildings were destroyed, or whether anyone was inside.
The explosion could reportedly be heard across Liverpool.
It's believed a gas leak started in a Chinese restaurant, the explosion obliterating a nearby dance studio.
"It is all completely rubble," reporter Josh Parry for local paper The Liverpool Echo said.
A woman identifying herself as the founder of the Complete Works dance studio, Lucy Lee, took to Facebook to confirm the news.
"Lost for words. I began Complete Works when it very first opened and to see it build how it did and go from 20 of us to hundreds of them was incredible."
"Vic & Kim put their heart and souls into that dance school and within minutes it has gone. Hoping everyone is safe."
Newshub.
