Four children and a man have been left fighting for their lives and with life-changing injuries after a truck exploded with a ‘massive bang’ outside a pub in Yorkshire.
Footage from the scene has shown the charred wreckage of a tipper truck, in which the five victims are reported to have been found with serious burns.
Emergency services raced to the incident following reports that a vehicle was on fire at the Hare and Hounds Inn, on Liley Lane in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, at around 2.15pm on Sunday.
‘The guy kicked the kids out and they ran. Kudos to the farmer who jumped on his quad and shot straight over to them. Hope they are all ok. It wasn’t good.’
Another woman, who drives along Liley Lane every day, said: ‘A road I use daily, so sorry for all involved in such [a] horrific accident hope the man and child pull through, [my] heart goes out to them all.’
The road was closed in both directions as a cordon went up while emergency services examined the scene.
West Yorkshire Police have now launched an investigation following the blaze – but officers do not suspect foul play.
A spokesperson for the force said: ‘Police can confirm that a vehicle fire which caused serious injuries to five people in Mirfield yesterday (Sunday) is not being treated as suspicious.
‘Emergency services were called to the Hare and Hounds Inn, Liley Lane, shortly after 2.15pm yesterday following reports that a vehicle was ablaze.
‘One child, a girl aged eight, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries where she remains in a critical condition.
‘Three further children and a man suffered serious injuries and remain in hospital where they are being treated for their injuries.
‘Investigations which took place after the incident have established that the fire was not started deliberately and is not being treated as suspicious.’
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Ambulance Service said: ‘We received an emergency call at 2.11pm yesterday (Sunday) to report an explosion in a vehicle on Liley Lane in Mirfield.
‘A number of ambulance resources were dispatched to the scene, including four ambulances and the air ambulance, and five patients were conveyed to hospital.’
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue have been approached for further comment.
