Reports of gas explosion in Longford...

There are unconfirmed reports a gas sub-station is involved

An explosion has reportedly rocked part of Coventry tonight.

Social media is awash with reports of a loud bang and a large emergency services presence in the Longford area of the city, near the Ricoh Arena.

There are unconfirmed reports a gas sub-station is involved.

There is currently no official word from West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire or West Midlands Ambulance Service.

One reader contacted Coventry Live on Facebook at 9.50pm saying: "Suspected gas explosion, Rowleys Green Industrial Estate 30 minutes ago.

"Helicopter searching for past 15 mins.

"Police response unit and Cadent gas van down Grindle Road, Longford."

When asked for more details she added: "The explosion sounded like a gas build-up, supported by a strong smell of gas just after.

"I heard people say there's a gas sub-station nearby at the end of Grindle Road.

"The helicopter is over at Hall Green Way now, near Windmill Road."

Another said: "It was a loud bang. I am at Alderman's Green and can hear lots of sirens and helicopters."

There was all sorts of rubbish on social media last night, including a lite [sic] aircraft crash. Some claimed that the earth shook.

I heard the 'bang', it sounded like a large metal garage door being shut violently. I somehow don't think it was a gas explosion.

I await, with bated breath, the police findings...

What was the huge bang that rocked Coventry last night?

Mystery still surrounds a huge bang that was heard in Coventry last night.

The loud noise was heard at around 9pm and a large emergency services presence was reported in the Longford area of the city, near to the Ricoh Arena.

There were concerns that a gas sub-station in nearby Grindle Road was involved, but it is understood that is not the case.

A Cadent gas van was seen in the area and it is believed that this was simply the firm following protocol to send a gas engineer to the scene of any incident that may have been caused by gas.

When contacted by CoventryLive this morning for more information, West Midlands Police said there was nothing more they could add at this point.

West Midlands Ambulance Service also stated they were made aware of a possible incident in Coventry on Sunday evening, but none of their resources were sent to a specific incident.

Police statement on mystery boom

Police say the cause of a "loud bang" heard across Coventry remains a mystery.

They said that despite "extensive enquiries" they have been "unable to locate the source of the noise".

And West Midlands Fire Service said "nothing materialised" in their own enquiries and put it down to a "false alarm with good intent".

Several police and fire crews were called out to the Longford area of the city just after 9pm on Sunday, December 2.

Many people reported their homes and windows shook, while plaster fell from the ceiling of a house in the CV3 postcode area of the city.

The 'explosion' was heard as far away as Willenhall and Bedworth.

Initial reports suggested a gas explosion or a lorry crash, while others claimed a light plane had crashed, or that it could have been an earthquake, but these were later proven to be incorrect.

However there is a theory the noise could have been a sonic boom from a low-flying fighter jet breaking the sound barrier.

CoventryLive is awaiting a response from the Ministry of Justice.

Some one also said the RAF are practicing low flying today so might have practiced last night instead.

Whites waste in Longford has got new giant chimneys just at the back of the Richo which seem to work by pressure.

I am surprised I did nt get the blame flying about on my broom stick. I know I can't get into or send any emails today...

I am surprised I did nt get the blame flying about on my broom stick.

Actually, the thought did occur!

I know I can't get into or send any emails today...

Try deleting any sent or read emails which include attachments such as pictures, they take up a lot of space.

Lol Dutchman what Rebbonk heard metal garage closing I hear that often the two new chimney that are worked by pressure are made of metal I use to think the metal sound came from Rowleysgreen Rd but recently it sounded like the area of the Whites waste plant.

When I go into my email it's a blue screen saying change permission I think its an apt update I did this morning on being able to make 999 calls. I have nt got hardly any photos only 8 nor did I have many emails as I delete them and sent or any that has gone into drafts.

To be fair, it didn't sound like a sonic boom to me. And the RAF flying on a Sunday evening is almost unheard of.

I think there will be some red faces on faceache for the outlandish theories posted last night.

I never heard any thing my self Rebbonk as I was over Keresley Green so I have nt a clue but I have heard the sound as if a large metal garage door is closing or metal being tipped from high often.
My sister lives by Coventry air port she said there were heavy aircraft over there yesterday.

I really can't see it being RAF related. As far as I know, nothing uses Coventry airport that would be capable of breaking the sound barrier.

If it were aircraft related I'd be betting on USAF aircraft, perhaps even something with a prototype propulsion system. - But in truth, I can't see it.