Explosion is blamed on gas canister

AN investigation team from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has revealed a probable gas canister was the most likely cause of an explosion at a house in Derbyshire that ripped through the property.

It was at around 5.30pm on Monday when crews from Chesterfield, Staveley, Clay Cross and Nottingham Road were called to the incident on St Helen’s Street, Chesterfield, following reports of an explosion.

Neighbours said that they thought the blast was “two cars crashing into each other outside their front window at 80mph” but when they went outside they saw the front door of the property had been blown across the road and the upstairs window was bowing out.

In a statement the fire service said: “The property suffered structural damage, trapping two female and one male occupant inside. All three occupants were rescued by crews and handed over to the care of East Midlands Ambulance Service and the HART [Hazadous Area Response Team] team.”

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service has now said the most likely cause to be an accidental explosion due to a portable gas canister”.

A cordon was set up surrounding the property closing part of St Helen’s Street and Higher Albert Street following the incident. That cordon has now been reduced to prevent access to the building which has been boarded up by workers at Chesterfield Borough Council.