LIVE: One person taken to hospital and block of flats evacuated after suspected gas explosion in Washington
![Fire crews have been called to the scene of a suspected gas explosion in Washington.
Image by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/legacy_ash_107364000.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Fire crews have been called to the scene of a suspected gas explosion in Washington.
Image by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.](/img/placeholder.png)
Firefighters are currently at the scene of the incident on Collingwood Court, in Sulgrave.
Crews were called at around 12 noon.
The suspected gas explosion punched a hole in the third floor of a four-storey block of flats. It blew out bricks and a window, leaving the sitting room exposed.
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Hide AdSpecialist gas engineers are at the scene and the block of flats has been evacuated.
A spokeswoman for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said there were some injuries, but the extent of which is not yet known.
![Fire crews have been called to the scene of a suspected gas explosion in Washington.
Image by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/legacy_ash_107364000.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Fire crews have been called to the scene of a suspected gas explosion in Washington.
Image by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service.](/img/placeholder.png)
A spokesman for North East Ambulance Service said: "We were called to a private address on Collingwood Court at 11.56am to reports of an explosion.
"We sent two crews from out Hazardous Area Response Team and a double crewed ambulance.
"We transported one person to Sunderland Royal Hospital."
Northumbria Police are also in attendance.
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Hide Ad![One person was taken to hospital after a suspected gas explosion at a flat in Collingwood Court.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/legacy_ash_107366853.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![One person was taken to hospital after a suspected gas explosion at a flat in Collingwood Court.](/img/placeholder.png)
A force spokesperson said: "At 11.59am today (Monday), police received a report of a suspected gas explosion at a property on Collingwood Court, Washington.
"Officers are currently at the scene. A man has been taken to hospital as a precaution, but nobody is believed to be seriously injured.
"An investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, and any residents with concerns are asked to speak to a nearby officer."
Marie Lawton, 33, who was visiting a friend in the flats said: "I came and saw fire engines, police cars and the ambulance.
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Hide Ad![Fire crews were called out to a suspected gas explosion at a flat in Collingwood Court, Sulgrave, Washington.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/legacy_ash_107364573.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Fire crews were called out to a suspected gas explosion at a flat in Collingwood Court, Sulgrave, Washington.](/img/placeholder.png)
"I didn't know what was going on but they told me to stand outside and my friend has been told to stay inside.
"He thought there had been a chip pan fire but then I've been told there has been some kind of gas explosion.
"My friend phone me and said he was fine."
A spokesperson from Northern Gas Networks said:"Our engineers are on site at Collingwood Court in Washington, to support the emergency services."