A terraced house in Whalan, in Sydney's west, has burst into flames in an explosion so loud it was felt in neighboring suburbs, leaving at least six people injured and one missing as Fire and Rescue NSW staff combed through the rubble.
Fire and Rescue NSW was called to the second level of a townhouse complex on Waikanda Crescent just before 1pm when a caller reported an explosion in a unit, with the windows of the kitchen destroyed and people screaming.
The aftermath of the blast at Waikanda Crescent, Whalan.Credit: Erika Dooley
The units are owned by the NSW Government and are believed to be seniors accommodation.
A spokesman for Fire and Rescue NSW said the house had “significant damage” and a neighboring house was also affected. The flats on both sides of where the explosion occurred have also been evacuated.
NSW Ambulances have taken two people to Mount Druitt Hospital and are treating four other patients.
NSW Fire and Rescue personnel are searching units for the missing person.
Emergency services at the scene of a house explosion in Waikanda Crescent, Whalan, in Sydney's west.Credit: Rhett Wyman
Tracey Dean, who lives a street behind Waikanda Crescent, said the explosion was huge.
“My whole house shook. I felt like a bomb had gone off as the wind hit me,” he said.
