Two women in their 20s remain in hospital following an 'explosion' at a pub in Great Cornard.

Police were called to The Kings Head pub just before 10pm on Saturday night following reports of an explosion in the beer garden on Bures Road.

Initially, the explosion was believed to have involved a camping stove, but further enquiries showed it was a portable fuel heater which had been brought to the pub by a customer.

The pub has been closed since the incident, and a man and two women were taken to hospital for treatment for serious injuries.

Sudbury Mercury: Forensics van outside the pub on Sunday afternoonForensics van outside the pub on Sunday afternoon (Image: Johnny Griffith)

One of the women remains at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford and the other is at West Suffolk Hospital, Suffolk police said.

A man, also in his 20s, was taken to West Suffolk Hospital but was discharged yesterday evening.

The portable fuel heater was brought to the pub by a customer and following further enquiries, it was found not to be a camping stove.

A forensics van arrived at the pub at around midday on Sunday and the beer garden, to the rear of the property, was taped off by police.

The scene was lifted yesterday afternoon and enquiries surrounding the circumstances remain ongoing.

The pub has since confirmed that the heater did not belong to the business and was brought onto the premises without staff knowing.

Sudbury Mercury: Three people were taken to hospital following the explosionThree people were taken to hospital following the explosion (Image: Johnny Griffith)

On its Twitter page, a spokesman for the pub said: "At the moment, we have three of our customers with serious injuries, potentially life-changing.

"Our focus is on supporting the enquiry that is taking place while keeping them, and their families at the forefront of our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

The pub has confirmed it will remain closed today, but hopes to reopen its beer garden tomorrow.

Staff have thanked all the emergency services that attended the incident, and any witnesses are being asked to contact Suffolk police quoting the incident number 37/20827/21.