After the Jersey flats explosion, at least three people have died and twelve more are missing.

 After the Jersey flats explosion, at least three people have died and twelve more are missing.

After a three-story building on Channel Island collapsed at 4 am, police warned that there could be additional fatalities.

An explosion in a residential building in St. Helier has left at least three people dead and 12 or so people missing, according to Jersey police.

It was verified that the explosion at Haut du Mont, Pier Road, in the capital took place at around 4am on Saturday, less than eight hours after firefighters were summoned to the scene due to resident concerns.

Two patients who were previously hospitalised have been released, and a third patient is undergoing care for less critical wounds.

At least three fatalities were reported, and a search and rescue effort to find more victims was still underway, according to the island's chief minister Kristina Moore, who spoke at a press conference with the heads of the fire, police, and ambulance services on Saturday afternoon. It was a "unimaginable catastrophe" for the Channel Island, she continued.

The States of Jersey police commander, Robin Smith, described the scene as one of "total destruction."

Hours after the "very, very substantial" explosion, "pockets of fire" were found at the scene, according to police, making it "very dangerous."

Chief fire officer Paul Brown continued: "The main difficulty is that we have a dangerous building that has collapsed... The chances of survival for anyone who could be rescued may subsequently be compromised by anything we do or do in the incorrect way.

Smith stated that the operation would go "for days, possibly weeks" and that it was "essential to have resources to continue to keep operating."

Brown added that an investigation was conducted after firefighters were called to the location on Friday at 8:36 p.m.

In response to a question about whether this was connected to the explosion, he stated, "I can confirm that the fire and rescue service did attend.

"I'm not sure how many firefighters were present, but they were there. Yesterday evening at 20:36, the call was answered.

"I'm aware that they conducted investigations, but right now, all of my attention is on the emergency response.

"I will respond to that, but before I do, I'd like to concentrate on the emergency response, speak with my colleagues, and think about those details that are under investigation - and make sure I don't tell you anything that I need to tell someone else first."

Smith claimed that at this point, any assumptions about what occurred would be useless. The explosion's origin is still unknown.

There might be additional fatalities, according to Smith.

According to the demolition perspective, the three-story building is like a pancake that has dropped virtually straight down, he said.

"Another apartment building close has also sustained damage, which the fire department must secure. I sorry to report that it is a really heartbreaking scene.

The police had earlier claimed that family liaison officers were reaching out to relatives.

The explosion woke up 19-year-old Daniel Hunt, who lives across the water, at around 4 am, and he noticed the building on fire.

It was really unsettling, he added, "My bedroom was shook from the explosion, with the windows rattling."

"I stepped outside to look," Through the windows of nearby buildings, I could see what appeared to be police and firefighters illuminating flashlights as they evacuated the area.

Smith stated that the police would look into any potential safety concerns with the gas supply.

The building's gas supplier, Island Energy, stated that it was coordinating with the fire department to "establish exactly what has transpired."

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