Five taken to hospital after gas explosion at farm

Five people were taken to hospital after a gas canister exploded during a charity event at a farm in Cheshire.

It happened at Moseley Hall Farm, also known as The Lambing Shed Farm Shop and Kitchen in Knutsford, at about 13:00 GMT, Cheshire Police said.

The incident involved a food truck and is understood to have happened during a fundraising event for the North West Air Ambulance Charity.

All five people were treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital as a precaution.

Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing, a force spokesperson said, and the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

The Lambing Shed Farm Shop and Kitchen confirmed the incident involved its food truck, with four members of its team injured.

"We are extremely grateful to the emergency responders for their swift and professional assistance," a statement said.

A planned event for Sunday will not now go ahead, with the cafe and farm shop also remaining closed for the day.

"This has not been an easy decision, but our priority right now is the wellbeing of our team," the statement added.

"Our thoughts are with our injured colleagues and everyone affected."

The statement went on to say: "We are co-operating fully with the relevant authorities as they look into what happened and will share further updates when appropriate."

A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson confirmed its crews had attended and the fire was out.

Police said they were alerted to the incident at the farm on Chelford Road by the fire and rescue service.

"Officers swiftly attended the scene and found that a gas canister on the site had ignited and subsequently exploded," the spokesperson said.

"Whilst enquiries are under way to fully establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, it is not being treated as suspicious."

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