POLICE want to trace a man following an explosion at a block of flats in Skelmersdale.

The blast on Tuesday evening caused significant damage to two flats.

Five people managed to get out of the building before emergency services arrived.

No one was seriously injured.

Police say they are keeping an “open mind as to the cause of the explosion” while investigations continue.

At this stage it is being treated as “unexplained”.

A 29-year-old man from Darlington has been arrested on suspicion of production of a class B drug and causing an explosive substance likely to endanger life or cause serious injury.

Police want to speak to 40-year-old Robert Nolan, from Skelmersdale, as part of our enquiries.

He is described as white, around 5ft 8ins tall, of slim build and speaking with a Liverpool accent.

DC Sean Reddington, of South CID, said: “This incident has caused significant damage to the properties and left a number of people displaced.

“Our investigation is very much ongoing to establish the cause of the explosion and we would ask people to check any footage they may have covering the area to see if they have captured anything which could assist us in our enquiries.

“Although we are keeping an open mind as to what caused the explosion we have made an arrest.

“We now need to speak to Robert Nolan as we believe he can assist us with our enquiries. We would ask anybody who sees him or knows where he is to contact police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to email  or call 101, quoting log 1311 of May 17, 2022.