A HEARTBROKEN family have paid tribute to a “fantastic” grandad who was killed in a suspected gas explosion.

Frank Burton, 91, died when his terraced home in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester, was ripped apart by the huge blast.

His horrified brother Phil, 71, initially thought both Frank and his eldest son Paul were inside when the catastrophe on Brownley Road happened.

The property caught fire and filled with smoke as all the windows were blown out and glass was smashed across the road. 

Retired DJ Phil has described his brother  Frank as “fantastic” and a “good old fashioned geezer” who lived live to the fullest.

He said: “I came along when I saw images on the internet as new it was Frank's home.

READ MORE NEWS

Dog mauling deaths DOUBLE as ‘impulse buys during lockdown’ spark UK crisis

Man in his 90s killed in gas explosion after blast rips through home

“We had all thought it was fully electric, but he may have got some gas appliance in with the present fuel cost situation and need to warm his house.

“I've only just discovered that Paul has recently moved to Scotland, so that's a relief.

"His younger brother Mark and family are with me at the scene, but would wish people respect their privacy at this difficult time.

“Frank was a fantastic brother and lived a full life. He was an old fashioned British eccentric, well respected in his work, a skilled craftsman who only knew how to do a good job.

Most read in News

“He was industrious, hard-working and teetotal. A good old fashioned geezer.

“One thing we are all grateful for is that it came at the end of a successful life.

“It would have been a huge tragedy if he was 30 with young kids, but he had lived his life to the fullest.

“He once went hot air ballooning over the Grand Canyon and loved his trips to Las Vegas.

“Our elder brother Norman died at the beginning of the pandemic aged 91 years and five months, but it’s still a loss when someone passes.

“Unfortunately, Frank lost his wife Brenda to cancer about 12 years ago and he became sort of reclusive.

"He was a one woman man all is life and remember being at their wedding as a five-year-old – they were devoted to each other.

“He was only a boy in South Manchester when an explosion in the Blitz of WW2 saw him blown up in the lobby and his eardrums ruptured.

'GOOD OLD FASHIONED GEEZER'

“One was completely gone, so you always had two speak loudly for him to here in recent years he went even more deaf.

“His was very much a life well lived and we all loved him. I’d hope I could go the same way. It’s better to burn out almost instantly than just fade away.”

Frank’s granddaughter Georgia Burton, 24, added: “As soon as I heard it happened I came crying up the road.

“It was my grandad and he was such a lovely grandfather and will be very much missed.”

A major investigation was launched last night after the horror blast, which saw a huge hole in the upstairs of the property.

Nearby residents were evacuated, and motorist advices to avoid the area while emergency services rushed to the scene.

As many as 30 firefighters have reportedly attended as well as up to 12 police cars. 

Mark Threader, borough commander for Manchester for the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "As things stand at the moment, we are in the phase of making the premises safe so we can carry out investigations.

Read More on The Sun

Dog mauling deaths DOUBLE as ‘impulse buys during lockdown’ spark UK crisis

Lewis Hamilton retirement fears after emotional post by F1 Mercedes star

“GMFRS, GMP and Cadent gas are working closely together to try and find out what caused the incident.

DI Mark Dixon added: "This was specific to that premises and there is not a wider risk to other properties. We're keeping an open mind and exploring all lines of enquiry."

Source: Read Full Article