The death toll of an explosion at a block of flats in Jersey has risen to three.

The building collapsed after the blast in St Helier, the island’s largest town, in the early hours of this morning.

Residents reportedly complained they could smell gas hours before the tragedy.

A search of the rubble for survivors is continuing after an initial count found 12 people were unaccounted for.

Daniel Hunt, a 19-year-old data administrator, said the explosion woke him at around 4am.

‘My bedroom was shaken from the explosion with the windows rattling, which was all very unnerving,’ he said.

‘I went outside to take a look… I could see what looked like police and firefighters shining torches through windows of surrounding buildings.

‘I assume as they were evacuating the surrounding area. The building (was) up in flames with smoke pouring out of the windows.’

A building on Pier Road in St Helier was reduced to rubble by the explosion (Picture: SWNS)

In a press conference, Jersey’s Chief of Police Robin Smith said the force received reports of a ‘large explosion’ at 4am.

He said one person had died and two people, whom he described as ‘walking wounded’, were taken to hospital.

‘It is a pretty devastating scene’, he told reporters.

Justice secretary Dominic Raab said: ‘I’m deeply saddened by the incident in Jersey this morning and my thoughts are with everyone affected.

‘I commend the work of the emergency services responding and we stand ready to support in any way we can.’

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A residential building was destroyed in a suspected gas explosion.