AT LEAST 15 people have been injured in a gas explosion in in Irlam, Salford, Greater Manchester this morning, according to reports from The Guardian.

The blast, which occurred at about 7am, has been traced back to the middle house of the three destroyed in the blast; a new kitchen and bathroom had just been fitted in that home, the BBC reports.

Firefighter Paul Duggan said that the three houses were injured “in the blink of an eye”.

Five of those rescued are children. Of those injured, 11 have been discharged and three adults have been kept in hospital overnight as a precaution.

An 82-year-old victim is being treated at Wythenshawe Hospital.

Tim Doyle, chief executive of City West Housing, the firm which owns the property, told the BBC that he believed it was a gas explosion, saying:

It would be extremely unlikely that what has happened is not connected with the work carried out.

He vowed that his firm would “take full responsibility” if it was to blame.

An investigation is under way.