Birstall explosion latest - Multiple injured near Leicester in blast ’like a bomb’
Three people were injured this morning after one house was demolished and another partially destroyed in a suspected gas blast. Emergency services stormed to the scene after residents reported hearing a huge explosion "like a bomb going off" just after 7.30am. The blast destroyed a semi-detached house in Allington Drive, Birstall, three miles from Leicester city centre. One man who is thought to live at the property was rushed to hospital while two people living in the adjourning house were treated by paramedics.
Birstall house explosion: Major blast in Leicester Mon, December 11, 2017 A major explosion in Birstall near Leicester city city has left three people injured with witnesses describing the blast as 'like a bomb' erupting. Play slideshow PA 1 of 15 Birstall house explosion: Major blast in Leicester
PA An explosion in Leicester has left three people injured
It sounded like a bomb going off Jonathan Wheeler, resident
Eyewitness John Ketteringham, 31, was one of the first on the scene following the huge blast. He said: "We found one old chap buried in the rubble. "He had bad head lacerations, and was unconscious, with a flight of stairs on top of him, but he was still breathing. "It looks like it was a gas explosion. "I was woken up by the bang and pulled my clothes on and ran to do what I could to help. "There was a young boy who had just delivered the paper to the house that exploded. It was really lucky he wasn't hurt. "The explosion threw bits of wood into the windows of the houses opposite, and all the cars have smashed windows." Margaret Burt, who lives opposite the wrecked houses, said: "I was in bed and I heard a terrific bang. "My bedroom windows blew in. It was terrifying. "The whole house was gone.
TWITTER One house has been left demolished after the explosion
"It's just a pile of rubble and next door lost a bedroom." David Voce, 50, of nearby Worcester Avenue, said: "I jumped out of bed when I heard the bang. It was incredibly loud. "I thought my house was falling down. There was no fire, just an explosion. "There have been loads of ambulances. I don't know if anyone was hurt." Jonathan Wheeler, 45, said: "I'd let my dog out into the garden when I heard an almighty boom. "It sounded like a bomb going off. Within minutes all you could hear were sirens. I just hope no one was seriously hurt."
PA Three people have been left injured in the explosion
Quentin Woodhouse, 61, who lives in Birstall, said: "My mum lives opposite. She's 91. "Her front door and windows all blew in. "She was very lucky not to be hurt. "She just said it was a very loud bang, no flames as such. "And when she came outside it looked pretty much as it does now, with the roof blown off." Muriel Robertson, 75, who lives in Allington Drive, said: "We just heard an almighty bang. There's quite a few houses damaged. "I was asleep and I was woken up by the noise."
PA A whole house has been left demolished