UPDATE: Explosion in Marble Ct, Northwood, Christchurch

Emergency Services are working to ensure residents evacuated from their Northwood homes after the unexplained gas explosion today can return home as soon as possible.

“Safety experts have been going from house to house within the outer cordoned area to ensure these homes are safe for people to return to,” says Canterbury Metro Commander Superintendent Lane Todd.

“We appreciate this has been a difficult day for the approximately 50 residents who had to leave under such traumatic circumstances.”

/NZ Police Public Release. View in full here.