Man arrested over flats explosion

The roof and side wall were blown off by the explosion

A man has been arrested over an explosion which caused a huge blaze at a block of flats in Cheshire.

The two-storey building in Hoole Lane, Chester, was destroyed when flames spread in the early hours of Friday. The roof was blown off in the blast.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said one man was being questioned over the explosion and fire, which described as as a "fireball" and "earthquake."

The 16 flats in the building were evacuated and nobody was injured.

The residents have been found alternative accommodation or are staying with relatives.

'Glass everywhere'

The blast happened in a first-floor flat, which was completely destroyed.

During the fire the windows were blown out and debris from the building scattered 30m (98ft) away.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue said it was "unbelievable" nobody was seriously injured of killed.

At the height of the blaze 30 firefighters were on the scene.

Carole Dixon, who lives nearby said: "We heard the explosion it felt like an earthquake.

"There was parts of the window frames underneath cars, glass everywhere and we even saw a measuring jug and parts of equipment from the kitchen opposite the house which must have been about 40ft away from the house...so the force of the explosion was very big.

"I ran outside to help but the heat from the building was too dangerous."