A BLOCK of flats has been evacuated after a gas explosion.

The explosion caused a partial collapse of the gable end of the building, on Foxglove Drive, Bury, throwing rubble into the front garden.

Two people managed to escape from the building before firefighters from Bury, Rochdale and Whitefield arrived at about 5.50pm today, and a further two of the four flats were evacuated.

There were no injuries and the cause of the explosion is unknown.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "I heard a bang and then my neighbour came over and asked if I could help because her roof had collapsed.

"I thought it couldn't be that bad but then I came out and saw it."

One resident had been out for a bike ride and came home to find the scene.

He said: "I just came home and they said there had been a gas explosion of some sort.

"I can't believe it."

The building has now been declared safe and the residents have been taken to a hotel.