‘Gas blast’ blows roof off home: Two in hospital and locals evacuated after explosion destroys entire top-floor flat and spills rubble and belongings into street
- Two men have been rushed to hospital following a blast in Roker, Sunderland after a suspected gas explosion
- Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service were called to Whickham Street around 3.46pm this afternoon
- The men’s injuries do not appear life-threatening and this time and fire crews evacuated residents in the area
Two men have been rushed to hospital following a blast in Roker, Sunderland after a suspected gas explosion at a residential property this afternoon.
One upper flat on a row of two storey buildings on Whickham Street has been badly damaged with the front blown off, and the roof appearing to be partially collapsed.
It is understood the man who lives in the property is one of the casualties, but the identity of the other injured person is not yet known. Their injuries are understood to be non-life threatening at this time.
Two men have been rushed to hospital following a blast in Roker, Sunderland after a suspected gas explosion at a residential property this afternoon
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) has confirmed both men were attended to by the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) and suffered blast injuries.
The fire services were called to Whickham Street at around 3.46pm and the first crew arrived within minutes.
TWFRS said four appliances, an Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) vehicle and the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team were dispatched to the scene and a cordon was established in the area.
No other injuries have been reported at this time, and fire crews evacuated residents in the immediate area as a caution.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) has confirmed both men were attended to by the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) and suffered blast injuries
One upper flat on a row of two storey buildings on Whickham Street has been badly damaged with the front blown off, and the roof appearing to be partially collapsed
Emergency services at the scene in Whickham Street, Roker, Sunderland, where extensive damage has been caused to a property following a suspected gas explosion
An urban search and rescue dog also assisted at the site today, according to the TWFRS Twitter account.
Crews will remain in the area this evening, alongside a presence from Northumbria Police, to ensure the site is safe. Specialist fire service staff will also assess the site ahead of an investigation into what caused the blast.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Peter Heath, of TWFRS said: ‘This has been a significant explosion and there has been substantial damage caused to the property in question.
‘Thankfully our crews were quickly on scene alongside our other blue light partners to assist two male casualties from the area and they have since been transferred to hospital.
‘We will remain in the area alongside our partners this evening to assess the site and ensure it is structurally safe. Some residents in the immediate vicinity have also been evacuated as a precaution.
Crews will remain in the area this evening, as will Northumbria Police, to ensure the site is safe. Specialist fire service staff will assess the site ahead of an investigation into what caused the blast
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Peter Heath, of TWFRS said: ‘This has been a significant explosion and there has been substantial damage caused to the property in question’
‘We know this will be concerning for local residents and we would ask that anyone present in the area listens to the advice and instruction of the emergency services.’
A Northumbria Police spokesperson also said: ‘At 3.45pm today we received a report of a suspected gas explosion at an address on Whickham Street, Sunderland.
‘Emergency services are at the scene. Two men have been taken to hospital with injuries that are not deemed to be life-threatening at this time.
‘Officers remain in the area alongside Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and anyone with concerns is asked to speak to them.’
Talking to the Sunderland Echo, the next-door neighbour of the damaged property said he will be staying at a friend’s house tonight.
An urban search and rescue dog also assisted at the site today, according to the TWFRS Twitter account. Crews will remain in the area this evening, as will Northumbria Police, to ensure the site is safe
The fire services are also working with the council, who they say have deployed building control officers to the scene. In a tweet, TWFRS said: ‘They will be working alongside our crews to assess the structural damage, secure the property and make the area safe’
John Waterworth said: ‘I will be staying at a friend’s through Newcastle. My son phoned me when I was at work because he thought I was in the house.
‘I’ve just started a new job so he thought I would be in. There was an explosion, I was at work at the time, that’s as far as I know.’
His son John Ellis also told the paper the scene looks like a ‘war zone’.
He said: ‘It looks like a gas leak, the guy next door, on his flat the roof’s off, the front’s collapsed, the back’s collapsed, the wall between my flat and his flat is gone.
‘It just like something out a war zone, it looks like a bomb’s hit it.’
The fire services are also working with the council, who they say have deployed building control officers to the scene.
In a tweet, TWFRS said: ‘They will be working alongside our crews to assess the structural damage, secure the property and make the area safe.’
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