TWO people were trapped after a suspected gas explosion caused part of a warehouse in Bradford to collapse last night

Firefighters rescued the two women, both staff at the Range manufacturing company on Parry Lane, before they were treated for shock and minor injuries at the scene.

Early reports suggested a forklift truck may have exploded in the blast, which occurred at around 4.40pm, but police have now confirmed they are investigating a suspected gas leak.

Chief Inspector Suzanne Akeroyd, of Bradford District Police, said: "At 4.37pm today, the emergency services were called to a report of a gas explosion at a warehouse in Parry Lane, Bradford.

"On attendance, it was found that part of the building had collapsed, causing two employees to be temporarily trapped.

"The employees, two women aged 19 and 35, were taken to safety and treated for shock at the scene.

"Search and rescue dogs were deployed to the scene, as well as a structural engineer to assess the stability of the building.

"A total of 40 people were led to safety from adjoining premises.

"The cause of the explosion is still being investigated, but is not believed to be suspicious at this stage."

Fire crews from Bradford, Odsal, and Cleckheaton attended the incident, and are expected to remain at the scene overnight to monitor the state of the two-storey building.

Road closures remain in place at the junction of Parry Lane and Sticker Lane.

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed and further investigations into the blast are set to continue tomorrow.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust confirmed it had sent numerous emergency response vehicles to the scene of the explosion.

"Initial reports suggested there could be a number of casualties, so we sent ten resources to the scene, including four Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) vehicles, two doctors, one ambulance, one rapid response vehicle (RRV) and two other ambulance clinicians," said the spokesman.

"Two patients suffered minor injuries, but did not require hospital treatment."

Joanna Robinson, managing director at engineering firm Mansfield Pollard, which is situated next to Range, said: "It was a really loud explosion that really shook the building.

"We thought a lorry had crashed or something.

"Fortunately, I don't think there was anyone working in the exact area where the blast was.

"I think it must have been some sort of gas explosion, but we don't know for sure."