Residents tried to save people trapped in a petrol station explosion after they heard a girl scream

A Donegal man has shared how he and other locals spent hours lifting heavy blocks to rescue people trapped in the rubble after a horrific explosion at a petrol station in Creeslough, County Donegal

Residents quickly mounted a rescue effort after an explosion at a Donegal petrol station killed 10 people (

Image: PA)

Local residents have told of their frantic efforts to rescue those trapped in the rubble after a deadly explosion at a petrol station in Ireland.

Investigations continued today in Creeslough, County Donegal, after the tragic incident claimed the lives of 10 people on Saturday. Among the dead were four men, three women, two teenagers and a girl of primary school age, according to local police.

Reports emerged from villagers over the weekend of the chaotic scene following the explosion, with one describing a girl screaming as she pleaded with onlookers to save her loved ones.

Many spent hours moving the debris to try and free those trapped below.

Colin Kilpatrick was making a delivery to a nearby dairy on Saturday when the explosion - which he initially thought was a problem with his truck - knocked him down.

Among the dead were four men, three women, two teenagers and a young girl (

Picture:

Getty Images)

He told the PA news agency: "I was making a delivery to the creamery when the explosion happened and I fell, but I assumed there was something wrong with the truck or trailer , that there was a burst in the tire"

“I got out of the truck and saw the store, then I knew what had happened. We ran to the store and there was a young girl who was shouting that her sisters or her friends were still inside.

“We took him across the road and then we came back and there was a man trapped under the door. I screamed for a car jack and we ripped the door off him. don't lift it without the jack; you think you're strong but we c...