Three people taken to hospital after explosion at house in Yorkshire

Home reduced to rubble in Saturday morning blast

The property in Illingworth, Halifax, was reduced to rubble (West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service)

Three people have been rushed to hospital after a large explosion at a house in West Yorkshire.

The property in the Illingworth area of Halifax was reduced to rubble in the blast at 7.30am on Saturday morning.

Six neighbouring homes also had to be evacuated following the incident in the town’s Green Lane, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

So big was the explosion, reports on Facebook suggested it was heard at least a mile away.

It is understood that the trio hurt were a couple and their son who live at the property.

Investigations have now started into the cause of the explosion, suspected to have been caused by gas, while crews are managing "remaining pockets of fire" at the scene.

A picture shared by the service showed smoking rubble where the property had once been.

A spokesperson said: “Firefighters are likely to be on the scene for some time.”

A tweet from Northern Gas said: "Our engineers are currently attending an incident in Green Lane, Illingworth Halifax. They're working with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Yorkshire Police and Calderdale Council to ensure that the area is safe and to determine the cause of the incident.”

A fundraiser for those affected had already been set up by late Saturday morning.