A house has been destroyed in an explosion on a residential street in Sunderland.
One person was rescued from the wreckage, treated for burns and rushed to Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary in a serious but stable condition.
Images posted on social media showed one half of the semi-detached property in Rosslyn Avenue, Ryhope, reduced to a pile of rubble and significant damage to the second home, caused by the blast.
One Facebook user claimed her sister was airlifted to hospital from the property and was "conscious and talking", adding that the victim's daughter was not at home at the time.
In a post on a local community group, she wrote: "There must b a God sum where, how the hell can anyone survive that explosion."
Local residents gathered outside their homes and looked on in horror.
One tweeted: "Right so it's just sounded like a bomb has exploded in ryhope; house literally shook."
Gas engineers, firefighters, police officers and paramedics were at the scene, which was sealed off. The road was also closed.
Northumbria Police gave no details of what caused the explosion or whether anyone was trapped, but confirmed on Twitter that "there is nothing to indicate at this time that this is linked to terrorism".
Tracey Pounder, 51, who lives in a neighbouring street, said: "I heard an almighty bang. I went upstairs and you could see dust rising.
"Soon after there were sirens. The response was fantastic.
"Half of the semi has gone and next door is wrecked.
"I came down to see what was happening and it is a complete shock."
Nearby Ryhope Community Centre was opened for those affected by the blast which happened at about 8.50am.
