Jersey explosion: "Walking wounded" treated at Town Hall

Saturday 10 December 2022

A cordon has been set up around Pier Road in St Helier, Jersey, following a major explosion early this morning, with nearby buildings evacuated, and "walking wounded" treated at the island's Town Hall.

Witnesses heard the explosion around 04:00, and described plumes of smoke rising into the sky, and debris being scattered over a wide area.

Hospital staff have been called in to help following the explosion, with Jersey's Housing Minister tweeting that the Town Hall was "taking in the walking wounded."

People in Jersey have been asked not to go to their hospital's Emergency Department unless "absolutely necessary" as medics respond to the incident.

The Housing Minister, Deputy David Warr also said that temporary accommodation would be needed for those affected.

Within around an hour of his tweet, he reported that sufficient properties had been found.

The impact of the blast was heard and felt across the island.

Carl Walker pointed out that it was strong enough to be picked up by the British Geological Survey's earthquake monitors.

One person said: "I've got the roof debris and lots of insulation in my garden and thought my house had exploded when it shook."

People on night shift at the hospital and as far as St. Aubin reported feeling the impact, while another person said: "Heard and felt bang, by FB Fields. Thought it was thunder."

Describing the scene, one person wrote on Facebook: "There's a housing area on fire at Mount Bingham, there are lots of first responders on site."