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A search is underway for a man believed to be trapped under the rubble of a partially collapsed townhouse after an explosion in Sydney’s west.
Emergency crews were called to the Waikanda Crescent home in Whalan, which collapsed after an explosion at around 12.50pm.
“There is still one person believed to be under the rubble,” NSW Fire and Rescue Service Superintendent Ross Genders said.
“Right now, all we know is that they’re alive,” Genders said.
“We’ve heard knocks and noises and that’s taken as an indicator that they’re alive.”
Rescuers are directing their search to the back of the building, where the most debris has collapsed.
Crews are continuing the process of carefully removing the rubble piece by piece and have brought in seismic monitoring equipment to pick up any sounds from beneath the ruins.
The missing person is believed to have been on the second level of the building when the floor collapsed in the blast.
Paramedics from the intensive care unit remain on the scene.
Five people were taken to hospital with minor injuries after the blast, including a woman in her 60s and a woman in a wheelchair in her 70s.
The five people are in stable condition.
Three were taken to Blacktown Mt Druitt Hospital and two were taken to Hawkesbury District Health Service.
During the rescue operations, emergency crews also rescued a small dog from the wreckage.
Firefighters confirmed the dog was “in good health”.
Walter, who lived in the complex, got out in time.
“There was a light, a bright light, then a boom, my kitchen window first exploded, then the ceiling collapsed,” he told 9News.
While Leanne Ansell, who lives two doors down from the townhouse, was also affected.
“There’s glass all over my porch, two of my bedroom windows were broken, and my living room was broken into as well,” she said.
Police said it could take days to determine the cause of the explosion.
“The large explosion blew out windows and damaged neighboring townhouses in the multi-apartment complex,” Fire and Rescue NSW said in a statement.
A gas leak initially prevented rescuers from entering the ruins, but gas supply to the area has since been cut.
Fire and Rescue NSW said the hazard was contained to the area of the collapse.
More than a dozen fire and rescue units were deployed, including HAZMAT and aerial drones.
Members of the public have been urged to avoid the scene and local traffic diversions have been put in place.
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