SIX men were last night being treated in hospital after being caught in a suspected gas explosion which reduced a property to rubble.

Three police officers suffered serious burns after the explosion ripped through the flat in Gateshead.

A paramedic, a gas engineer and the elderly resident of the flat were also injured in the blast, thought to have been caused by a gas leak.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said officers were initially called to the flat in Marian Court at about 5.30pm after residents reported they could smell gas.

They found an elderly man inside, who was treated by a paramedic. It is understood that the police officers, paramedic and elderly victim were leaving the property when the blast happened.

The police spokesman said: “Our hazardous area response team was called to the scene due to the nature of the incident.

“On arrival, one of our paramedics led an elderly gentleman out of the property.

“There were three police officers injured, who suffered burns to the head and arms.

“A paramedic was escorting the elderly gentleman from the property and shielded him from the explosion.

“The paramedic suffered blast injuries but was wearing protective gear.

“The gas engineer suffered minor burns.”

All six were taken to hospital, where they were being treated last night.

Neighbour Kevin Briggs, 68, said: “I was sitting in my house and I heard this big bang. I looked out and came outside straight away. The house had come down, it had collapsed.

“I could see one police officer in uniform, a man. He was kneeling on the ground near to the house.”

Another eyewitness who did not want to be named said: “I saw a police officer floundering on the street. I think he’d been blown out of the house by the force of the explosion. The house was flattened.”

The street was evacuated and the gas company disconnected the supply to the street.

A spokesman for Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said that a number of fires had to be extinguished at the property.

The Health and Safety Executive was last night informed and will lead an investigation.

A spokesman for Northern Gas Networks said: “Our engineers isolated the gas supply to the properties affected by the gas explosion and have made the area safe.

“We can confirm that the explosion was not the result of any issue with the local gas network.

“We will continue to work with the police as they carry out an investigation.”