CHESTER Market will remain closed today (Thursday, March 30), following a gas explosion in the Northgate Development last night.

Emergency services were called to the scene just before 6.30pm and the market was evacuated following the incient, understood to have happened in the adjacent Turtle Bay unit where contractors had been working.

Three contractors sustained serious burn injuries and were taken to hospital in the care of paramedics.

A cordon was put in place on Hunter Street. The market was evacuated but other night-time premises such as Cosy Club, The Coach House, the Shropshire Arms and Storyhouse remained open.

Engineers isolated gas and electricity to the area and a building inspector was deployed to the scene last night.

The number of fire engines at the scene reduced from three to two by 9.21pm and all crews left the scene after five hours.

This morning, Cheshire West and Chester Council posted on social media: "Following the incident in the unit next to Chester Market on Wednesday evening further investigations are under way.

"As a result Chester Market will remain closed today. Further updates will be provided as soon as possible."

'Like a big gun going off'

James McCallister, 29, from Pulford, was in the Market at the time of the incident.

He said: "I had my headphones in eating food when I heard a massive bang. People started standing up and I took my earphones out and then tried to see what was going on. 

"It looked like it was happening toward the main entrance and then dust started filling the room. Everyone started panicking, and you could see people starting to move out of the back entrances.

"It was strange - the sound was like a big gun going off, so I just headed towards the car park and got in my car and left as soon as I could.

"There was about 100-150 people in the room when it happened - you could find a seat in the middle but there were lots of people there enjoying a drink after work."

He added: "It was pretty scary - from what I could see it looked like the shutters on the main door had fallen completely down and plaster and debris had fallen from the ceiling.

"When the alarm started going off everyone moved very quickly outside down the steps and as I pulled out I could see people on the side of Storyhouse too.

"It was all quite alarming and I hope everyone who was injured is OK."