This is the terrifying aftermath of a suspected gas explosion in Middlesbrough.
It is understood the blast took place at a property on Kirkland Walk near Frampton Green in Park End on Tuesday and has been described by residents as “absolute carnage”. Pictures from the scene show one semi-detached property has been completely destroyed in the incident.
Firefighters remain at the 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”.
Mr Joseph described the scene as “absolute carnage”. Teesside Live has contacted emergency services for comment.
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17:19Key Event
12 houses affected by explosion and 57-year-old in hospital
Middlesbrough Police’s District Commander, Superindendent Marc Anderson, has provided an update.
He said:
Emergency services remain at the scene of a house explosion in Kirkland Walk, Middlesbrough.
A 57-year-old man has been taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with serious burn injuries.
Twelve houses have been affected by the explosion, and houses in Kirkland Walk and nearby Errington Avenue have been evacuated.
Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire Brigade, North East Ambulance Service and Northern Powergrid are currently working together at the scene, to make it safe.
Whilst there is currently no wider threat to public safety, members of the public should avoid the area.
Overdale Road is currently closed between Ettington Avenue and Gilmonby Road. There is no access to Frampton Green from Ettington Avenue.
Anyone concerned about housing needs or support can visit Park End Primary School which has now been opened as a reception centre for residents.
We thank local residents for their patience as we continue to deal with this incident.
Do you have information about criminal activity in your area? If so, call us on 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
16:59Georgia Banks
New pictures from the scene
16:42Georgia Banks
Cordon lifted
The largest cordon has been lifted.
16:33Georgia Banks
Residents still unable to access homes
Residents are still unable to access their homes inside the cordon.
16:21Georgia Banks
Search dogs called
Search dogs have arrived at the scene in Middlesbrough.
16:17Georgia Banks
Emergency services remain at scene
Emergency services remain at the scene of a house explosion in Middlesbrough.
16:06Georgia Banks
Drone pictures from the scene
New drone pictures from the scene.
15:10Georgia Banks
Hero roofer runs into burning building to save man after Middlesbrough house explosion
A hero roofer ran into a burning building to save a man after an explosion ripped through a semi-detached home.
Kayfee Hameed, of Berwick Hills, was driving past Kirkland Walk, in Middlesbrough, when he saw a semi-detached home ablaze. An earlier explosion had destroyed the property leaving a man trapped under rubble.
Without thinking, the 45-year-old dad ran into the burning building putting the man on his back as the flames tore through the property.
Read the full story here.
15:01Georgia Banks
Cleveland Fire Brigade remain at scene
Firefighters remain at the scene and have told residents to avoid the area.
A spokesperson said: “Cleveland Fire Brigade remain on the scene of an incident on Kirkland Walk in Middlesbrough. We received a call on 18/06 at 12:42 alerting us of a suspected explosion at a residential property. Three fire engines are in attendance from Grangetown and Middlesbrough.
“We urge members of the public to avoid the area whilst Cleveland Fire Brigade, Cleveland Police and North East Ambulance Service work together at the scene.
“We want to thank local residents for their patience as we continue to deal with this incident.”
14:57Georgia Banks
Patient transported to RVI after suffering ‘severe burns’
A NEAS spokesperson said: “We received a call to 999 at 12.42 this afternoon to reports of a house explosion on Kirkland Walk, Middlesbrough.
“We sent a duty officer, a clinical team leader, two emergency ambulance crews, a rapid response paramedic, a doctor, four Hazardous Area Response Teams and the air ambulance.
“One patient has been transported to the RVI by air with severe burns.”
14:36Georgia Banks
Police confirm ‘house explosion’ and thank residents for patience
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.”
14:27Georgia Banks
Roofer drags man from flames following explosion
Kayfee Hameed, 45, of Berwick Hills rescued the homeowner from the blaze.
He told Teesside Live: “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 Mr 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.
14:15Georgia Banks
Air ambulance confirms ‘patient airlifted to hospital’
The GNAAS has confirmed a patient was airlifted to hospital for treatment.
They said: “Our critical care team was activated at 12.46pm to an incident in Middlesbrough.
“We had two doctors and two paramedics respond to the scene and they worked alongside the North East Ambulance Service to assess and treat a patient.
“The patient was airlifted to hospital.”
14:13Georgia Banks
Northern Gas van at the scene
According to witnesses, a Northern Gas Networks van is stationed at the scene, along with an ambulance and four police cars.
14:08Key Event
Video from the scene
14:06Georgia Banks
Police drone at scene
A police drone has been spotted at the scene.
14:05Georgia Banks
Overdale Road blocked off
Overdale Road has been blocked off with a cordon starting from Family Shopper. A police car is stationed at the scene blocking the road.
14:02Georgia Banks
Cordon in place
A cordon has been erected around the property blocking access to the scene.
14:01Georgia Banks
‘All my windows shook’
One resident said: “Yeah I heard and felt it. All my windows shook.”
Others have taken to Facebook to describe the scene. They said fire crews can be seen pouring water onto the property to extinguish the flames.
13:56Key Event
Fire crews warn public to ‘avoid area’
A Cleveland Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “We are currently (18/06/2024 @ 12:42) dealing with an incident on Kirkland Walk in Middlesbrough. Please avoid the area if you can.”
Picture: Ian McPherson
13:53Georgia Banks
Resident thought it was ‘a plane crashing’
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.”
13:52Georgia Banks
Air ambulance lands in Middlesbrough
The air ambulance attended the incident. It is not yet known if anyone was seriously injured.
Teesside Live has contacted emergency services for comment.
13:50Georgia Banks
Pictures from the scene
Pictures from the scene show a semi-detached home has been completely destroyed in the incident. A cordon has been erected and smoke can be seen flooding the street.
Pictures: Ian McPherson