A joint investigation has been launched into the cause of an explosion at a block of flats in Wigan.

At 9.20pm on Saturday police received reports of the explosion on Eliot Close, Worsley Mesnes.

Officers attended along with the fire service and ambulance crews and found the top two flats in a block of three fallen into the ground floor property and had been completely destroyed by the fire.

A large number of emergency services officers were present and the blaze was brought under control by 12.15am by firefighters.

Police officers helped evacuate residents from 36 neighbouring properties, which are all council-owned.

A 26-year-old man suffered serious burns and has been taken to Whiston Hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

A 43-year-old man is being treated at Wythenshawe Hospital for burns and is described as serious but stable.

The injuries to both men are not thought to be life-threatening.

The remaining casualties suffered minor injuries and smoke inhalation.

A full search of the block of flats, including the ground floor flat, was carried out by specialist search and rescue teams and it is not believed there was anyone else inside at the time of the fire.

However, police and firefighters will remain at the scene.

A joint investigation to determine the cause of the fire has been launched by Greater Manchester Police, the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and specialist forensic teams.