Man’s clothes ‘melted’ in gas blast that wrecked front room
EXPLOSION SENT RUBBLE TUMBLING INTO THE STREET
A HOUSEHOLDER’S clothes “melted” in a gas explosion that took out his front room, neighbours have said.
Speaking yesterday after being evacuated from their homes, residents of Clarence Street, in Burton, spoke of their fears as they awaited an update on their neighbour’s condition.
The man, who is aged in his 60s, was taken to hospital – believed to be the Royal Derby – for treatment for burns and smoke inhalation.
Although police have said his injuries are not thought to be lifethreatening, close friends living on the street said his clothes appeared to have “melted” in the blast.
They went outside to see what had happened when they heard a loud “bang” at around 7pm on Monday to find their neighbour’s front room wall had collapsed into the street.
One neighbour, who asked not the be named, said: “I heard a bang and then a rumbling noise that sounded like things falling down. I came outside and saw bricks cascading out of the alley between the two houses. (The man in the house where the explosion took place) came out and emerged from out of the rubble. It appears his whole front room wall has collapsed into the alley and the house on the other side of it.
“He lives on his own and was the only one in the house at the time. He didn’t appear seriously injured, but my wife offered him a cup of tea and when she put her hand on his back, she said his clothes felt as if they’d melted. That said, he appeared quite composed and wasn’t staggering about.
“There was an item outside the house that was smouldering and the fire service put it in the middle of the road and extinguished it.
“I’m not the type of person who gets scared – you have to assess what’s going on before you start panicking.
“We’re all really worried for our friend, though. We’ve been trying to get through to the hospital for an update on his condition.
“He said he thought he’d accidentally knocked the cooker on before he lay down to go to sleep, then woke up, put the light on and the spark caused the explosion. We’re really hoping he’s okay.
“Everyone knows everyone on this street and he’s a good friend and a sound guy. We’ve known him since we moved here 20 years ago.
“After I called the fire brigade just before 7pm. They were here so quickly, as were the police, structural engineers and the electricity board. It was a fantastic effort from all the authorities.
“The police officers there were a credit to the force and the firefighters were magnificent.”
The witness said the couple living in the house next door, which is said to have sustained damage in the blast, stayed away last night. However, they are said to have returned yesterday morning with their landlord, who has inspected the property.
An East Staffordshire Borough Council official was also on the street – which is around a minute’s drive from Burton Fire Station, in Moor Street – yesterday to check for damage to any of its properties. Another neighbour, who also asked not to be named, said: “I was in with my child and dogs and heard a massive bang. It immediately sounded like an explosion and it shook the house for about a minute afterwards.
“It was terrifying - I was so frightened for my child, who, along with the dogs, was just as scared as I was.
“It felt so close I was worried something had happened in my house, so I looked upstairs. When I realised it was next door, I went outside to see what had happened. (The victim) was outside and seemed perhaps a little shaken, but was otherwise ok.
“I asked if he was okay and if there was anything I could do and he said he was fine. He then had to rush inside as he’d seen something that was on fire and fetched it outside. It was really scary.
“We were all asked to leave our houses in case it had caused any damage to them and the fire service inspected to make sure they were all safe before we were allowed back inside. I feel relieved no-one was seriously hurt. I’m still quite shaken and nervous.”
A Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Firefighters were called to Clarence Street, Burton, at 6.56pm on Monday following reports of an explosion. Two crews from Burton attended the scene two minutes later and located a property which had been damaged by an internal explosion.
“One wall had been severely damaged and had been discharged into the surrounding area.
“Seven of the surrounding properties were evacuated whilst crews worked to make the area safe.
“A man, in his 60s, was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and burns where he was later conveyed to hospital for treatment.
“A small area of the surrounding road surface was excavated in order to disconnect gas pipes to nearby properties.
“A structural engineer was also called in-order to assess the damage. Crews departed the scene at
10.15pm after the area was deemed safe. The cause is believed to have been accidental, due to a gas hob being left unattended.”
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: “Police were called to Clarence Street, Burton, at 7.10pm on Monday following reports of an explosion. Officers attended alongside firefighters from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and located the site of the explosion.
“Seven of the surrounding properties were evacuated whilst firefighters worked to make the area safe.
“The wall of a property had been blown into the street as a result of a gas explosion from inside.”
The cause of fire is not being treated as suspicious, though inquiries are continuing.
A Cadent spokesperson said: “As the gas emergency service, we have supported the emergency response to an incident in Clarence Street on Monday.
“Following a thorough investigation, we can confirm that the gas mains and service pipes in the area are sound and did not contribute to or cause the explosion.
“We would also like to remind people that if you ever smell gas, inside the home or outside, call the National Gas Emergency service on 0800 111 999* immediately, day or night.”