Alex Smith
BBC News Online

Derbyshire Police has just confirmed, external that Eden Street remains shut, adding that firefighters and partner agencies are working to make the scene safe to allow an investigation into the cause of the explosion to start.

Image source, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service

The force said Derby City Council would be ing residents who were immediately affected over the coming hours "to discuss next steps".

"The site is currently still cordoned off, however care providers will still have access to the site," a force spokesperson said.

"They should approach the cordon and make themselves known to officers at the scene to be let through the cordon."

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

Asked about the extent of the damage, Mr Diggins said: "It's really bad.

"These incidents don't happen often and while we see lots of dangerous things post-fire, this is a bit different.

"What's different with an explosion is the structural damage that can take place.

"And it doesn't just affect that one home, we have seen four properties damaged and lots of bricks flying, which impacts the cars and homes nearby.

"The front and back walls of the terrace have been blown out, so it's almost like a doll's house and there's lots of rubble inside."

Gavin Bevis
BBC News, Derby

Here's a little more from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service's David Diggins on the emergency service response to the explosion.

He said: "Our crews at about half three this morning were able to work through the scene to rescue a small dog, who is now in the hands of its owners.

"There's been a lot of time and effort from the utilities - from gas, electric and water - attempting to make the scene as safe as possible for the residents of Eden Street.

"And that work's ongoing, as you've seen, with lots of heavy plant [machinery] moving on to the site to dig up the road.

"Hopefully by around five o'clock this evening, we'll be in a position where the house that was involved in the explosion along with a few others either side are safe enough to scale down slightly."

He added demolition work was scheduled to begin on Thursday.

Greig Watson
BBC News, East Midlands

Here's a recap of the latest we've been told about the situation:

• Derbyshire Police said it was called to a suspected gas explosion in Eden Street, Alvaston, at 19:24 BST on Tuesday
• One man was taken to hospital and remains in a critical condition
• A dog was rescued from the property in the early hours
• Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said four properties suffered "significant damage" and residents of about 14 properties would have to stay away from their homes overnight

• An investigation into the cause is due to get under way with gas distribution company Cadent saying it is "too early to speculate"

Greig Watson
BBC News, East Midlands

The latest drone shots from Eden Street reveal some of the work taking place in the aftermath of the explosion.

As well as the damage to the properties, the images show four holes have been dug in the road outside.

Workmen in hi-vis vests and a van from Cadent, the gas infrastructure company, are nearby and pipes can be seen in at least two of the excavations.

Dan Hunt
BBC News, East Midlands

Emergency services say the man injured in the explosion is in a critical condition.

David Diggins, from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, told the BBC the man remains in hospital and there is no further update on his condition.

He added that residents of about 14 properties in the area would have to stay away from their homes overnight for "safety reasons".

However, he said the fire service hoped that by the end of today, Eden Street would be returned to "some sort of normality".

Mr Diggins added: "We will be maintaining a presence on scene for quite a long time, as I'm sure the pictures have showed online, this has been a serious explosion.

"There'll be work to firstly make the building safe through demolition and demolition will hopefully begin tomorrow."

Greig Watson
BBC News, East Midlands

Beverley Richardson lives next door to where the blast happened.

She told the BBC police have now been able to fetch some medication she needs. She also sent her best wishes to her neighbour who is understood to be in hospital.

"I thought a plane had crashed into the house," Mrs Richardson said.

"I went out the front door and it was just awful... a terrible mess. I looked to my right, saw [the] house. It was nothing, no more.

"I just had to just leave everything where it was and just go. I feel so lucky to be here - and I really do feel lucky.

"I'm bit concerned about [my neighbour]. There's been no [news]. I'm hoping and praying that he's OK."

George Torr
BBC News, Derby

Christina Harrison, 32, lives at one of the properties in what she says police have called the "condemned zone".

Her family are not allowed back inside and expect to be staying elsewhere tonight.

"I was in the kitchen with my daughter when the explosion went off," she told the BBC.

"I genuinely thought war had broken out... my first instinct was try and find safety.

"I realised the living room was OK, we went through that way... we then went on to the street.

"It was horrible, because everyone was screaming, there was ash everywhere with a lot of smoke.

"My daughter was frightened so I went back inside to calm her down. It was crazy."

Alex Thorp
BBC News

Dramatic footage has shown the moment the suspected gas explosion took place on Tuesday evening.

A man remains in hospital with serious injuries following the blast in Eden Street, Alvaston, Derby.

Dan Hunt
BBC News, East Midlands

We're expecting to receive a statement from Derby City Council on the situation later this afternoon.

George Torr
BBC News, Derby

Kathryn Tate, 62, lives seven doors up from the suspected gas explosion.

She's been told she's not allowed back into her property at the moment.

"I heard the explosion and then everybody rushed out into the street to see what was going on," she said. "I thought a bomb had gone off - it was mayhem.

"There were people everywhere. The police and the fire brigade turned up fairly quickly.

"The house fell forward on to the cars and the back of the house has fallen over on to the garden."

Gavin Bevis
BBC News, Derby

Here are some more drone images from the explosion site, captured this morning.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News, Derby

We're starting to receive the first drone shots from the scene of the explosion, showing the extent of the damage to the house and neighbouring properties.

The fire service earlier said up to four properties had been affected by the blast.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News, Derby

Earlier we reported a Salvation Army van was at the scene of the explosion to emergency services.

The charity's website says: "As a Christian church with a strong social conscience, we seek to alleviate distress wherever it is found and to fulfil a crucial role during and after a major emergency."

It said this can include:

• Providing on-site refreshments and emotional to responders at the incident site
• Providing to individuals at any designated rest centres or humanitarian assistance centres
• Co-ordinating or participating in the wider faith response

George Torr
BBC News, Derby

A resident has said she was in the Lidl supermarket, which backs on to Eden Street, at the time of the blast.

She said everyone stopped in their tracks when they heard a bang, and some produce on the shelves dropped on to the floor.

Another resident said he had to stay at a friend's house last night after trying to get a hotel.

He said he rang around many in Derby, but said they were full due to the England v Senegal football match in Nottingham.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News, Derby

Here's a recap of the latest we've been told about the situation:

• Derbyshire Police said it was called to a suspected gas explosion in Eden Street, Alvaston, at 19:24 BST on Tuesday
• One man was taken to hospital with serious injuries, while a dog was rescued from the property overnight and is being checked by vets
• Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said significant damage had been caused to up to four properties
• An investigation into the cause is due to get under way with gas distribution company Cadent saying it is "too early to speculate on the cause"

Image source, Emma Timson

Dan Hunt
BBC News, East Midlands

Derbyshire Police has issued an update on the suspected gas explosion.

The force has now confirmed that the man taken to hospital has serious injuries.

A police spokesperson added a t investigation with the fire and rescue service into the cause of the explosion is due to start today.

George Torr
BBC News, Derby

The scene here is a hive of activity. Police officers are at the cordon, with gas engineers and firefighters further up in the distance working on the worst affected house.

Some neighbours want some more information on when they can return, but they've been told it's not clear at the moment.

I've just seen a Salvation Army van be let on to the street. They are going to hand out sandwiches, I've been told.

One resident told me he doesn't expect to be home tonight and will need to sort some accommodation. I understand work at the scene will continue tomorrow.

Dan Hunt
BBC News, East Midlands

Gas company Cadent has issued a statement following the explosion last night.

A spokesperson said: "We were called to attend an explosion in Eden Street, Alvaston, at 19:38 last night.

"At the moment it is too early to speculate on the cause.

"We are currently working closely with the emergency services, but our priority is to make the area safe."