House destroyed in huge gas explosion and street evacuated

The door lies in a neighbour's garden

A gas explosion has destroyed a terraced house in Willington, County Durham.

One man who sustained ‘serious injuries’ in the explosion has been taken to hospital.

No one else was injured in the explosion, according to the fire service, whose crews remain at the scene on Coronation Terrace.

A spokesperson told Metro.co.uk: ‘We know this will be concerning for local residents and if you live in the area please listen to the advice and instruction of the emergency services.

‘An investigation will take place into the incident in due course.’

Pictures show the roof entirely blown off the redbrick building along with the upper level walls and much of its floors after the blast before 1.30am today.

Windows are hanging in their frames, the front door has landed on the pavement opposite, while a back door lies in a neighbour’s garden.

Bricks are scattered in the front and back yards with an assortment of other debris.

To the rear of the house is a greenspace just a few metres from a primary school on the northern edge of the town.

Neighbouring properties along the terrace appear largely unscathed, but the street’s residents have been evacuated, The Northern Echo reported.

Police and firefighters are on the scene and roads around Coronation Terrace have been closed.

A spokesperson for County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘At 1.28am we received a call reporting an explosion at a residential property on Coronation Terrace in Willington.

‘The first crew were at the scene within minutes, with crews deployed from Durham, Bishop Auckland and Crook, along with the Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) from Durham.

‘Firefighters assisted in the rescue of one man, who was attended to at the scene by police officers and North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), before being taken to hospital. Nobody else has been reported to be injured.

‘Some residents in the immediate vicinity were evacuated as a precaution.

‘Our crews will remain in the area today alongside colleagues from Durham Constabulary, Durham County Council and Northen Gas Networks to assess the site and ensure it is structurally safe.’

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary told Metro.co.uk: ‘Officers responded to reports of a house explosion at around 1.30am today in Coronation Terrace, Willington.

‘A man sustained serious injuries during the incident and has been taken to hospital by paramedics for treatment.

‘A cordon has been put in place around the property while emergency services work at the scene.

‘Nearby residents have been evacuated as a precaution and people are advised to avoid the area.’

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