Miracle escape after gas blast
LOVED ONES SAY MUM WAS SAVED FROM HORROR BLAST BY FRIDGE THAT FELL ON TOP OF HER
A MUM miraculously survived a gas explosion that destroyed her house after a fridge fell on her, loved ones have said.
People living near Rosslyn Avenue, in Ryhope, Sunderland, reported hearing a “massive bang” and said homes and businesses shook after the blast at around 8.50am yesterday.
Emergency services said they were “met with a scene of destruction” in the street and rescued a mum, named locally as Susan Shepherd, from the rubble of one home. Dozens of families were also evacuated.
Ms Shepherd was taken to hospital where her condition was later described as “serious but stable”.
Her semi-detached house was destroyed and the property next door was badly damaged.
On Facebook, a relative claimed she survived the explosion because a fridge fell on her.
Her sister, Tracy Tia Judson, said Ms Shepherd was able to talk in the ambulance.
Writing on Facebook, Ms Judson added: “The fridge fell on top of her and saved her life, she’s absolutely fine under the circumstances, she’s got minor burns to her back, face and arms and her hip might need stitching.” In an earlier public post, she said there must be a God as “how the hell can anyone survive that explosion?”
Ms Shepherd’s daughter was with her father at the time of the blast, the relative said. For more than two hours, firefighters carried out a search of the scene, with the help of specialists with dogs, to establish whether anyone else was inside.
By around 11.30am, rescuers confirmed that all people were accounted for and there were no fatalities.
While investigations were ongoing to establish the cause of the explosion, police stressed it was not terrorism related.
A cordon was put up around Rosslyn Avenue and residents were evacuated to a former library on Black Road.
David and Susan Mushens, who live on the street, were among those evacuated. David, 43, said: “We heard a loud noise and the house shook. I thought it was just something in the house but I looked out the windows and saw black smoke.
“I went downstairs and ran outside. One of the houses was collapsed following the explosion.
“We were worried there might be kids stuck in the rubble.”
Sandra Stephenson, owner of Kitty’s Kitchen, on Ryhope Street, which runs parallel to Rosslyn Avenue, said she heard a “mighty explosion” that shook many buildings.
The 66-year-old added: “I was through the back cooking and all of a sudden I heard a mighty explosion. It was like a mini earthquake.
“I thought it came from a flat upstairs. I ran out and saw a lot of other people had come out. A few minutes later, somebody came up and said that a house in Rosslyn Avenue had been blown up.”
People working in the area also said they heard a loud bang. Some thought there had been a car accident but later realised the blast took place at a house.
Debra and Kevin Stokoe, who run Ryhope Fisheries, heard the explosion as they were preparing to open up.
Debra added: “It shook the whole building. We didn’t know what had happened but the emergency services were here pretty quick.”
Members of the community also pulled together to help those who had been affected.
Julie Dewart, landlady of The Guide Post pub, said: “Everybody is just shocked by what happened. When I found out how people had been affected, we started offering tea and coffee free to anyone who was evacuated from their homes.”
Others were also quick to offer help with people wanting to donate toys and clothes and they set up an online fundraising page. Meanwhile, firefighters are working alongside other agencies to assess the structural damage to the properties. The cordon was still in place yesterday evening. A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Our officers along with North East Ambulance Service, Great North Air Ambulance and Tyne & Wear Fire Brigade attended the scene. There is currently a 30-metre cordon in place with the road closed and people are being asked to avoid the area. Residents of Rosslyn Avenue have been evacuated for their safety. “One woman has been taken to the RVI, her condition is described as serious but stable. All other residents affected are now safe and have been accounted for. “Officers can confirm that this incident has no link to terrorism activity and an investigation into the circumstances of the explosion will begin in due course.” Graham Gowland, executive director of property at Gentoo Group, said: “We are aware of an incident that occurred at two of our properties on Rosslyn Avenue, in Ryhope. The safety of our residents is paramount and we have staff at the scene offering support. “We are doing everything that we can and are working closely with the emergency services and all other parties involved whilst investigations are under way.”