Woman is killed in blast horror
Residents left reeling after woman’s body is found
AVILLAGE is picking up the pieces from tragedy after a devastating explosion caused a house collapse and left one woman dead.
Police received a number of calls to East View in Summerseat shortly before 9.30pm on Wednesday, February 17 following the catastrophic blast.
Concerned residents in the vicinity reported hearing a “big bang” and police, paramedics and fire crews rushed to the scene where the house was found reduced to rubble.
The body of a woman was found by fire crews as they conducted a search of the wreckage.
She has since been named as 61- year- old Hazel Wilcock.
The cause of the explosion and subsequent collapse is still being investigated by police and Greater Manchester Fire Service.
Emergency services evacuated several properties as a precaution, with most residents returning by Thursday lunchtime.
A huge cordon was put in place while a mass clean- up of the rubble began. Police said the cordon could be in place for several days.
Floral tributes began to congregate at the scene of the tragedy, while online fundraisers raised thousands for those residents worst affected.
Neighbour Ziara Siddique, who lives near the scene, said the blast made her entire building shake.
The 49- year- old said: “It was heartbreaking. It was awful. It’s such a tiny community and during lockdown people are out walking more, so you see
people every single day.
“It’s absolutely shocking. Our entire building shook. My doors nearly came off the hinges. It was horrendous. My husband thought it was a power cut, I said it was something serious.”
Mark Dunn, 49, lives close to the scene of the explosion - which made his windows shake.
Speaking by the police cordon, he said: “I just heard a loud boom at around 9.30pm. I knew something bad had happened by the sound. It shook my window; it was really scary. I heard all the emergency sirens getting louder.
“One of my neighbours knocked on saying we need to get out. I was in shock really. It’s kind of shocking to see.
“I couldn’t believe it when I came out.”
Police said houses were evacuated as a precaution on Wednesday night and they were ‘keeping an open mind’ about the circumstances of the incident.
Speaking on Thursday, Watch manager Steve Wilcock, from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said there was a rapid response to the incident after an initial report of an explosion.
He said: “We attended and quickly located one female who unfortunately has been declared dead.
“At this tragic time we just want to offer our condolences to the family and friends involved.
“Summerseat is a very, very close knit community. It was evident last night and certainly today that communities come together to support each other.”
A fundraiser has also been launched to support those affected by the explosion. To donate, visit justgiving. com and search for ‘Summerseat village community’.