Surrey, England – Chaos erupted at Blackwood Manor late this evening following a dramatic and unexpected incident involving a Christmas pudding. Initial reports indicate a large-scale explosion ripped through the main dining hall, causing significant damage and prompting a full-scale emergency response. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the incident, which has left residents shaken and the festive season marred by a truly bizarre event.

The explosion occurred at approximately 9:17 PM local time. Witnesses describe a sudden, intense burst of flame and a shower of debris, primarily pudding ingredients – fruit, brandy, and sugar – which engulfed the room. Preliminary assessments suggest the force of the blast was substantial, resulting in structural damage to the manor’s walls and ceilings. Thankfully, no fatalities have been reported, although several residents sustained minor injuries, primarily burns and lacerations from flying fragments.

“It was absolutely terrifying,” recounted Mrs. Beatrice Higgins, a housekeeper who witnessed the event. “One minute we were all raising a glass to Christmas, the next there was this… this *bang*. Everything went white. I just grabbed my shawl and ran.”

Local police have cordoned off the area and are working alongside fire services and forensic experts to determine the cause. Theories are already circulating, ranging from a faulty electrical appliance to a deliberate act. The Blackwood family, notorious for their eccentric behavior and penchant for elaborate traditions, are understandably under scrutiny.

Adding to the mystery is the unusually potent nature of the pudding. Mr. Alistair Blackwood, the family patriarch, reportedly insisted on using a secret recipe passed down through generations – a recipe he described as “infused with a touch of the unexpected.” As he told his assembled guests just hours before the explosion, “A little bit of fire is simply part of the Christmas spirit, wouldn’t you agree?”

The event has understandably thrown the Blackwood family’s already-complicated Christmas celebration into disarray. With the manor temporarily uninhabitable and the holiday season hanging in the balance, investigators are working to unravel the mystery behind this explosive Christmas pudding. Further updates will be provided as they become available.