Entire house destroyed in huge explosion with person airlifted to hospital as neighbours tell of ‘absolute carnage’
AN ENTIRE house has been destroyed in a huge explosion with one person airlifted to hospital after “absolute carnage”.
The blast took place at a property in Middlesborough today with the scene being described by residents as like a “plane crashing”.
One semi-detached property has been completely destroyed in the blast around 12.40pm, with the cause yet unconfirmed.
Kayfee Hameed, 45, of Berwick Hills rescued the homeowner from the blaze.
He said: “Everybody was on the grass over there watching. When I drove past I saw the fire at the house. I jumped out and everyone was shouting ‘don’t go, don’t go’.
“I ran inside and I said is ‘anybody there?’ The man was laid down there were all rocks on his leg. He was just shocked. I told him to come closer because the fire was coming down. I put him on my back and got him out.
“I put him on the grass. All his skin came off like a carrier bag.”
Roofer Hameed said there was only one person in the house but said two properties were damaged in the explosion. He said he checked both houses as others called emergency services.
Firefighters remain at the Park End scene and the area has been cordoned off to the public.
It is understood the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) attended the incident but it not yet known if anyone was seriously hurt.
Sean Joseph, who lives at the back of the property, said: “I work from home and just heard a huge explosion. I actually thought it was a plane crashing”.
Joseph described the scene as “absolute carnage”.
A Cleveland Police spokesperson confirmed the nature of the incident and thanked residents for their patience.
A spokesperson said: “Cleveland Police are at the scene of an incident in Kirkland Walk, Middlesbrough.
“Officers responded to reports of a house explosion at around 12.40pm today.
“Members of the public are urged to avoid the area while Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire Brigade and North East Ambulance Service work together at the scene.
“We thank local residents for their patience as we continue to deal with this incident.”