A man was taken to hospital last night after an explosion at a property in Southampton.

The Bermuda Police Service said that officers and other first responders were sent to the area of Palm Valley and Westdale Lane at about 8.55pm.

Residents in the surrounding neighbourhood reported that they heard a bang and felt trembling before a string of emergency service crews made their way to the scene.

The BPS said: “Details are limited but information provided suggests one person was injured in the explosion.

“The injured person, a male, was said to be conscious and alert and, at last check, was transported to hospital via ambulance for treatment of his injuries, the extent of which is unknown at this time.”

Fern Wade, a nearby resident, told The Royal Gazette: “My house shook. Most houses shook.

“I said to my husband, ‘It's an earthquake’. I thought it was an earthquake.”

She expressed her best wishes to the man believed to have been in the house.

“We are all neighbours,” Ms Wade added.

“It's a small community and everybody knows everyone.”

Another nearby resident said: “I just heard the bang and the vibration.

“Everything shook and that was it.”

One Facebook user, who said they live near Southampton Rangers Sports Club, wrote online: “Heard a loud bang and then my house shook.”

Another posted: “It was an awful experience feeling the rumble from the explosion and seeing the flames.”

Structural engineers were believed to be making their way to the site to assess its safety and a Bermuda Gas Company representative was on the scene.