Lexington explosion: Child killed after massive gas blast tears through family homes

One child has died - and their sibling and father is injured - following an at their home, local media says.

Several properties were rattled after the "massive explosion" last night, which has caused extensive damage to homes and roads in Lexington, . People have been warned to avoid the area while emergency services continue their operation to rescue people trapped under rubble.

But at least one person - a child - has died, according to local media. Their father and their sibling are among those rushed to hospital in Kansas City, which is just west of Lexington.

The City of Lexington authority said the blast happened when a sub-contractor hit a gas pipe behind a business in the area on Wednesday night. Lexington Police told local publication the child, whose gender they didn't confirm, has been killed in the horror.

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Shocking pictures show flames roar from at least one home, but it is believed several were affected on Franklin Avenue and South 18th Street. Firefighters can be seen in the pictures tackling the blaze. People have been evacuated on both streets, media in the US says.

A reporter at the scene for said: "Someone wrote 'it was a massive explosion that blew out many windows on houses in surrounding blocks.'" Someone said they saw a white flash, and said that this explosion 'shook the ground.'"

Footage taken for KCTV shows smoke billow from a property, thought to be the one worst affected by the blast, as emergency services are seen working along the residential streets.

Writing a series of updates, Lexington Police said: "Please be aware that 18th street between Franklin and South Street is closed due to a gas leak. Crews are on the scene." It later added: "STAY CLEAR OF 19TH & FRANKLIN TO 16TH & FRANKLIN. Avoid the area and surround blocks."

The force also said gas supply for the vicinity was switched off late on Wednesday night and will remain off throughout Thursday morning, while the probe continues.

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Last week, where residents were warned to keep windows and doors shut due to a fire. Multiple blasts were heard shortly after the blaze started, reportedly at a factory, on Sett End Road West, which is in the southeast of the Lancashire town. Crews in ten fire engines tackled the blaze, which led to road closures in the early hours of Monday March 31.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service had said: "We have 10 fire engines, two aerial ladder platforms and a firefighting robot at a commercial building fire on Sett End Road West, Blackburn.

"Firefighters were called at 00:45 and a number of roads are closed in the local area. There is also a large smoke plume and anyone who can see or smell smoke is strongly advised to close windows and doors. No injuries have been reported."