The walls of an upstairs flat in South Shields were reduced to rubble this morning following a suspected explosion inside the property.
Emergency services were called to Bewick Street shortly after 11am and a number of homes had to be evacuated as police and fire crews worked to assess the damage and maintain the safety of residents.
One patient was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital for further treatment by Northumbria Police officers. The patient's injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
Read more: South Shields explosion LIVE: Updates as residents evacuated following blast at home
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We received a call at 11.14am this morning to an incident at a private address on Bewick Street, South Shields. We dispatched one rapid response paramedic, one clinical team leader, and four crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).
"One patient was treated on-scene before being transported to hospital for further treatment by our colleagues at Northumbria Police."
A police cordon remained in place at the front and rear of the property this afternoon. However, ChronicleLive understands that residents who were evacuated have since been allowed to return to their homes.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Shortly after 11am today (Wednesday), we received reports of damage caused to a flat on Bewick Street in South Shields. Officers are in attendance alongside other emergency service personnel. One person has suffered injuries not thought to be life-threatening."
ChronicleLive spoke to a number people living in the area today and many told of how they became aware of the incident after witnessing a large emergency services presence in the street. Many explained how they had heard no explosion or noise before emergency services arrived.
Earlier today, a Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson told ChronicleLive: "We can confirm we are currently in attendance at Bewick Street in South Shields following reports of an explosion inside a residential property.
"Our fire control received call at 11:06am and two appliance from South Shields Community Fire Station were on the scene in a matter of minutes. We remain at the scene to assist police in their enquiries into the circumstances around the incident and to ensure the structural safety of the building and surround properties."
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