Ruthin
© Robert Parry-JonesRuthin
Residents have been left baffled by a loud "explosion" heard in the early hours of this morning.

Homeowners in Ruthin were jolted from their sleep by the noise that was heard as far away as Haulfryn and Rhewl.

Some took to social media in a bid to find out what it was with others reporting seeing a "flash" and hearing the police helicopter overhead shortly afterwards.

In a local forum called Fans of the old Ruthin Blog, one person wrote at 12.55am: "Did anyone hear that explosion? Is everyone OK?"

Dozens of comments followed including one woman who said: "I was just dozing off, I literally jumped out of my skin."

Another commented: "Honestly never jumped so much in my life, too scared to even go near the window."

Other people suggested the sound came from the area of the old Rhos Street School site and some said they had contacted the police, while others claimed they saw a flash of light.

One man said could have been scaffolding falling down but for now, the noise remains a mystery.

One woman said: "I'm only a couple houses down from the school and it's literally scared me and my partner and even our one week old little boy. It just seemed so loud."

Another added: "It was awful, I live in Haulfryn and it seemed pretty loud here."

A third person said: "I heard it from Rhewl so it must have been loud in Ruthin. There's been a helicopter circling for a while too.

A resident replied: "Sounded very close. I thought it was the scaffolding falling down."

North Wales Police, Denbighshire Council and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has been asked if they can shed any light on the incident.