RESCUERS searching for survivors from a "devastating" explosion in Jersey say they no longer expect to find anyone alive with three killed and a dozen still missing.
The shocking explosion in Jersey's capital, St Helier, happened just before 4am yesterday, with emergency services launching a search for survivors in the rubble of the three storey building.
At least three people have been killed in the massive blast at a block of flats – with 12 people feared missing.
Emergency services were working through the night after the "devastating" explosion with specialist teams and a search dog on the scene.
But cops now say that they have sadly called off the search.
Robin Smith, chief of police, said: "It is with sadness that I am confirming that the search and rescue operation had been moved to a recovery operation.
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"The decision was made after a detailed assessment and following the use of specialist K9 units."
Jersey Police warned that more fatalities are possible as they search the blast site for survivors after the explosion and fire on the south of the island.
And on Saturday afternoon, cops said "the site remains highly unsafe" with "pockets of fire" being discovered.
Officers have cordoned off a large part of St Helier after the explosion, with cops urging people to stay away from the debris-strewn area surrounding Mount Bingham.
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The blast was so powerful it was picked up on the British Geological Survey’s earthquake monitors.
The ear-piercing sound was heard across the island with a large plume of smoke seen billowing from the area.
Shattered glass was seen scattered across nearby streets as the force of the blast blew out the windows from surrounding buildings.
A crumpled crane could also be seen near the rubble of the smouldering remains of the three-storey building that had completely collapsed
Twenty-one police officers, nine paramedics and 19 firefighters have attended the scene with extra staff being called into the hospital.
The cause of the explosion remains unknown. The fire service was called to the scene at around 8.30pm on Friday night, just hours before the blast, after reports that residents were smelling gas.
When asked what could cause such a "ferocious" explosion, Paul Brown, chief fire officer, said that there were "many different potential causes," but it was too early to speculate.
Residents described how the massive explosion "sounded like an earthquake".
Melody Wiseman, 27, who lives in a fifth floor flat across the harbour was woken by the noise and shaking of the fearsome explosion.
She said: "I was woken up by this massive, massive bang and the whole flat was just shaking, I was freaking out, I had no idea what was happening.
"I held onto the bed because the flat was shaking so much. There is a new block of flats being built next door and I was worried it was falling down, or it could have been an earthquake, it sounded that loud.
"I was too shaken up to go to the window and look out.
"If I had gone on the balcony I'd have seen a lot of flames, so I'm glad I didn't as I can't get the noise of it out of my head, I'm still freaked out by it."
While Byron Hatton questioned whether "a car had crashed into the house" at their home just outside Bingham Court.
He said: ""The first bang was absolutely massive, it shook the house. Then there were two smaller explosions. It woke everyone in the area up.
"Pier Road was absolute carnage, there was ash and debris everywhere but we couldn't get any closer."
And local Janice Byrne, who lives in flats opposite, said: "I was nearly thrown out of my bed by an explosion.
"It was terrifying. There was a massive bang and the building shook."
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Further updates are expected to be provided later today.
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