Gas explosion at Chester Market

Emergency services are currently at the scene of what is believed to have been a small gas explosion, at a commercial premises within Chester Market.

They are responding to an incident within the Chester Market Development, on Hunter Street in the city centre. Three people have sustained serious burn injuries. They have been passed to the care of paramedics and are on the way to hospital.​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

An evacuation of the market and the surrounding buildings has been undertaken and road and pavement closures are currently in place, in the nearby streets, while the scene is made safe.

Cheshire Fire and Rescue have confirmed two fire engines from Chester and one fire engine from Powey Lane are attending the incident. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A cordon has been put in place and surrounding buildings evacuated as a precaution. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Emergency services are still in attendance whilst the incident is being managed.

Engineers have isolated electricity and gas to the area.

Cheshire West and Chester Council have issued a short statement:

Chester Market is closed this evening due to an ongoing incident in Northgate.​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​