Explosion: Three Confirmed Dead

Three people are confirmed to have died in a gas explosion at Haut de Mont flats in St Helier. The search for survivors will continue through the night.

In a government press conference just before 5pm, Chief Minister Deputy Kristina Moore said the number of people killed by this morning's blast has risen to three.

Up to a dozen other people remain missing.

Two people who were being treated in hospital have been discharged.  One further casualty is receiving treatment but their injuries are not reported to be serious.

The Chief Officers of the Police, Fire and Ambulance services spoke about the ongoing search for survivors amongst the rubble of the three story building on Pier Road.

Police Chief Robin Smith says the co-ordinated effort will go on throughout the night.

The operation is being supported by four Urban Search & Rescue specialists from south west England and Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

That includes two search dogs.

A further five Urban Search & Rescue specialists have arrived, and more are on the way with the necessary equipment.

"We will continue to search throughout the night with the appropriate lighting and the appropriate safety for our teams and I am really pleased that we can do that particularly in the interest of families."

Family Liaison officers are supporting bereaved families and those who have lost their homes.

 Fire Chief Officer Paul Brown

Fire Chief Officer Paul Brown offered his condolences to those affected:

"The nature of the work is necessarily slow and methodical.  The plan is we will continue searching - and we have no other plan at this stage- we are just continuing to search.

We will not stop."

He has confirmed that his firefighters attended the area on Friday evening after calls reporting the smell of gas.  Those came in at 8.36pm.

He says there will be further information at a later time, but that the immediate focus is on the emergency response.

Cordons remain in place around what Mr Brown has described as 'a scene of utter devastation'.

Head of the Ambulance Service Peter Gavey says teams of paramedics and volunteers will also be available throughout the night.

Deputy Kristina Moore says it has been a challenging time for islanders:

"This has been a difficult and most challenging week for our island.  We have faced two tragedies and the cost of lives of friends, colleagues and family members.

We must all call on our collective strength as an island community to come together and support all of those affected in this dark time.

I hope that many of you will join in a period of reflection  - a quiet moment this evening - to remember those that we have lost."

 Deputy Kristina Moore, Jersey's Chief Minister

Candles are being lit at the Town Church.

Andium Homes - Jersey's social housing provider which owns Haut du Mont, has released this statement:

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the incident at Haut du Mont this morning, their families, friends and loved ones.

Throughout the day colleagues at Andium Homes have been supporting residents to ensure that all those that have needed short term accommodation, and other support have had it and continue to have it.

All the residents evacuated by the emergency services have now been offered alternative accommodation that is safe and warm and they will be offered ongoing support and practical help from us over the coming days.

We have been overwhelmed with all of the offers of support from individuals and businesses, we will continue to help coordinate that support as much as we can.

Our sincere thanks must go out to the Emergency Services for their sterling work, we will continue to support them with their efforts in making the site safe and investigating the cause of the incident."

 The three story block at Haut du Mont on Pier Road has been reduced to rubble by the 4am blast.

UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has extended his sympathies to the island:

I’m deeply saddened by the incident in Jersey this morning and my thoughts are with everyone affected. I commend the work of the emergency services responding and we stand ready to support in any way we can.

— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) December 10, 2022