These are the first pictures showing the extensive damage after a suspected gas explosion rocked a quiet cul-de-sac in a Leeds suburb which left neighbours convinced a bomb had gone off
Explosive snaps show the carnage caused by a suspected gas explosion tearing through a cul-de-sac on New Year’s Day. Residents left shaken by the noise were convinced a bomb had been detonated.
Homes in Marshall Street, Leeds were rocked by the explosion which blew off windows and doors sending house and caravan debris strewn across gardens.
The biggest shock, though, was a man casually walking out of the crumbling home, reports Leeds Live.
Round-the-corner neighbour Andrew Fielden was knocked for six by the blast, he said: “I heard a big bang and felt the house shake. Everything shook. We saw all the debris and windows in the street. We saw all his windows in the garden and his doors blown off. He just walked out of the house; unbelievable – he’s lucky to be alive.”
Andrew, with help from another chap, made sure the survivor wasn’t battered. “He didn’t seem to be badly injured. He said ‘bloody hell, look at my caravan.’ I says ‘never mind your caravan mate – you’re alive mate. You’re lucky to be alive.”
20-year-old Aimee Olivia, another Leeds local caught up in the drama, said: “I heard the explosion, it was a massive bang that shook my whole house and it happened at the top of my street.”
“I have never heard anything like it before. It sounded like a bomb had gone off.”
Neighbours caught the moment on their doorbell cams when an explosion rocked their street, “blowing their windows in”.
The drama unfolded on Marshall Street, where a 57-year-old bloke was found seriously hurt after the blast tore through his home. He was rushed off to hospital. The explosion left two houses in bits and had the coppers evacuating the street faster than you can say ‘Bob’s your uncle’ over worries of more danger on the cards.
Authorities gave the all-clear for residents to head back home by 4.30am, though they put the brakes on for two homes that are still no-go zones.
Cops believe a gas leak caused the explosion, but an investigation into how it happened is ongoing. Northern Gas has ensured the gas mains linked to nearby homes is now safe as erm… houses.
For now, the area’s taped off from the public while the police say the cordons will stick around on Marshall Street for Thursday’s investigations.
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