Gas caused explosion at Leeds pub

A packed pub in Leeds found itself in the middle of chaotic scenes today when a disused pub on the same road was ripped apart by an explosion.

West Yorkshire Police have confirmed that the blast at the boarded up Florence Nightingale pub on Beckett Street, Leeds, was caused by a gas explosion.

Five people, believed to be passers by, were hurt. A police spokesman said that none of the injuries were life threatening.

Douglas Walton, manager of the Fountain Head pub, also on Beckett Street witnessed the explosion.

He was serving diners at the packed pub when he heard a massive bang at 1.40pm.

"People were just having their lunch and then bang. It was an almighty explosion.

"We wondered what they hell was going on. The force of the blast put through one of our windows and there was smoke and people covered in blood in the road - just passers by," he said.

Police closed the bar shortly after the explosion. The property remains inside the police cordon this afternoon as police and the fire brigade work to make the site safe.

"It looks like half the pub is missing and there's debris everywhere," said Walton.

He said that sniffer dogs were currently being sent into the building.

Gas could be smelt in the area as early as last night according to Walton.

"Joe, the landlady's son, said he could smell gas at the pub last night but I'm all bunged up and couldn't smell it," he said.

Fireman who attended the explosion, were taking a break this afternoon at the Fountain Head.

"We're doing our bit for King and country, we're busy cooking them lunch," said Walton.