05/01/2010 - Investigation launched into blast
Investigations are ongoing into an explosion that blew one woman out of a building, leaving her with severe burns to her head, neck and chest.
Investigators are trying to establish the cause of the blast in Shrewsbury, which injured 12 people, including the woman in her early 20s. Five people in a car outside the building were trapped in rubble before being pulled free by passers by, according to a spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service.
The explosion occurred on the corner of Bridge Street and Smithfield Road, near Welsh Bridge.
West Mercia Police's Supt Peter Lightwood, who expressed surprise that no-one had been killed in the incident, said: "The cause of the explosion is unknown. We are aware the casualties woke to the smell of gas."
A fire service spokesman confirmed there had been "quite a significant gas leak", but added that it was possible for this to have been caused by the explosion.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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