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Police and ambulance services have also arrived at the fire in Bedford. Residents reported hearing an explosion, there are no reports of causalities at this time.

Pictures from the blaze show flames and smoke billowing out of the roof of the block of flats.

Resident Adam Fisher said: “A huge explosion [was] heard – everyone went to our work car park to see what was happening.

“Our building is adjacent to the apartment complex – immediately an inferno [was] visible, huge smoke cloud billowing, people screaming and people frantically calling for emergency services.”

Emergency services were on the scene, a spokesperson for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the blaze was due to a “major gas explosion”.

The spokesperson said: “We are currently in attendance at a major gas explosion on Redwood Grove, Bedford.

“There are currently six appliances, two water carriers, an incident command unit at the scene. Please avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed.”

Some residents took to Twitter to comment on the blaze.

Luke Larner said: “Big pillar of smoke and lots of sirens coming from Alban Retail park on the A6 in Bedford, area best avoided. Hope everyone is ok.”

Alex Feltham said: “Block of flats has exploded near Redwood Grove, really horrible. Hope everyone made it out. Air ambulance has arrived.”

He added: “Was in the office next door, the whole place shook. Thought the warehouse had collapsed, wasn’t until went outside that we’d seen the gaping hole in the roof of the flats. The fire spread so quickly. Police then Fire turned up quickly.”

More to follow.

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