Man with burns rescued from rubble after Middlesbrough explosion

According to neighbors, a man was rescued from the rubble of his home after the explosion.

The 57-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious burns after the blast destroyed a semi-detached house in Kirkland Walk, Middlesbrough, at around 12.40 BST.

Michael Clarke, who lives on the street, said: “Three lads rushed in and pulled him out, they didn’t hesitate, they just went straight in.”

Police said residents in the square and surrounding streets were evacuated after the explosion, which also damaged 11 other houses.

Mr Clark said those who rushed to help feared there might be another explosion.

He added: “The man was screaming in the rubble and when they got him out he looked horrible.”

The 69-year-old said the house next to the blast site lost a bedroom and other houses had roofs damaged.

Cleveland police said residents of Ettington Avenue and Frampton Green are now able to return to their homes.

Park End Primary School has also opened as a reception centre for affected residents.

Other neighbours told of their shock after the explosion, which sparked a sharp turnout from emergency services.

Michelle Garner, 51, said: “The whole house was shaking.

“I jumped up and opened the front door and saw all smoke and everybody was moving around and the house was gone.”

Another man said: “I was in the living room when I heard a loud bang and the floor shook so much that I fell off the couch.”

Ambulance, fire brigade and Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) were called to the scene shortly before 1pm BST.

GNAAS said it had sent two doctors and two paramedics to the scene to support the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS).

The National Emergency Operations Centre said the man was airlifted to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.

A spokesman said the rescue team had deployed “a duty officer, a clinical team leader, two emergency response teams, a rapid response paramedic, a doctor, four hazardous area response teams and an air ambulance”.

At around 17:30 BST, emergency crews were still working at the scene and a cordon was in place.

Cleveland police said officers are working with the Cleveland Fire Department, the Country Fire Marshals and Northern Power Grid to make the area safe.

“While there is no wider threat to public safety at this time, the public should avoid the area,” said regional director Mark Anderson.

The road has now reopened but the cordon remains in place and Cleveland police said they will continue to patrol the area overnight.