Just before 4am this morning an explosion took place at a block of flats in Haut du Mont, an Andium operated property on Pier Road, St Helier. A building has been demolished and a fire subsequently occurred. The fire was extinguished by the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service by 8am.
Tragically one person has died as a result of the explosion, and a number of residents - approximately a dozen - are missing. Emergency services are working at the scene, which was declared a major incident, and have commenced a surface search of the site. Relatives are being contacted by Family Liaison Officers.
Fort Regent, the vaccination centre, and the immediate vicinity around Pier Road has been closed to the public.
There are two wounded people in the Jersey General Hospital. Islanders are asked not to go to the Emergency Department today unless absolutely necessary. If you require non-urgent out of hours treatment, please contact the out of hours GP on (01534) 445445.
Haut du Mont residents have been moved to the Town Hall, where they are being offered support, and the remainder are now with their families. The Chief Minister, a number of Ministers and town Deputies have visited the Town Hall this morning to meet with the displaced residents, and Andium are now taking those residents to temporary accommodation.
A support line has been established on 0800 735 55 66.
A Press Conference with the Chief of Police and Chief Minister took place at 09:45am and was streamed over Government of Jersey social media. The video can be found here: https://fb.watch/hk8nM72jcb/
Further briefings will be provided as the search continues.
Government of Jersey News Release