I thought it was a bomb… five hurt as ‘gas explosion’ destroys 2 homes
A HUGE explosion wrecked two houses yesterday, leaving five people injured.
The sound of the blast was described as like a bomb going off as the roof was ripped from an endof-terrace property in Blackley, Manchester. The neighbouring house was also badly damaged.
Two people were seriously injured in the blast, which was thought to have been caused by gas, and were being treated in hospital last night. Three others were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, who brought in rescue dogs to search the rubble, found a tabby kitten, seemingly unharmed if a little dazed.
Last night, fire crews continued to shore up the building, which was in a ‘dangerous state’, while National Grid workers carried out tests.
The blast at 12.30pm yesterday smashed neighbours’ windows and left bricks, glass and pieces of furniture strewn across the street.
A neighbour described how they thought someone had crashed a car into their house when the explosion happened as their property ‘shook’.
Another local resident, Georgia Edwards wrote on Facebook that she thought a house had been bombed, while others spoke of smelling gas after the blast.
A number of houses were evacuated but residents were allowed to return to their homes last night. Pupils and staff at nearby Co- operative Academy of Manchester were sent home on the advice of emergency services.
Paul Duggan, command support officer at Manchester fire Service, said: ‘We are treating it as a sus- pected gas explosion at the moment. The building itself has suffered serious collapse.
‘The technical response unit are currently shoring up the building as it’s in a dangerous state.’
The fire service also posted pho- tos of the rescued kitten on Twitter, writing: ‘It’s being very well looked after.’
North West Ambulance Service said the two casualties were being treated at Salford Royal Hospital and Wythenshawe Hospital.