These are the first pictures showing the extensive damage after a suspected gas explosion rocked a quiet cul-de-sac in a Leeds suburb.
The blast happened just after 10.30pm on January 1 on Marshall Street in Leeds and was heard for miles. People said it sounded like a bomb going off with their own homes shaking.
They said they say all the windows and doors blown off and debris scattered across the garden. A nearby caravan had also been ‘blown to smithereens’.
Resident Andrew Fielden lives just around the corner and heard a loud bang. “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”
Mr Fielden walked up the cul de sac to where the damaged house was. He saw a caravan parked outside ‘blown to smithereeens’
He says a man emerged from the wrecked house. “He just walked out of the house; unbelievable – he’s lucky to be alive.“
FOR THE LATEST FROM THE SCENE CLICK HERE
The scene on Marshall Street in Yeadon, after a man has been rushed to hospital with serious injuries following an explosion at a Leeds home on New Year’s Day. Danny Lawson/PA Wire
Andrew and another man checked the injured man over. “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.”
Nearby resident Aimee Olivia, 20, added: “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.”
She added that her neighbours had reported having doorbell footage of the explosion “blowing their windows in”.
Police cordon at Marshall Street in Yeadon after suspected gas explosion
(Image: Andrew Robinson / YorkshireLive)
Get all the latest and breaking news in Leeds by signing up to our newsletter here.
When emergency crews arrived at the Marshall Street home, a 57-year-old man was discovered suffering from serious injuries in the wake of the blast. He was transferred to hospital for treatment.
Two properties sustained substantial damage, with authorities evacuating nearby properties amid fears of further danger.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed that all residents have received the green light to return to their homes by 4.30am, except for two homes that are yet to be cleared.
According to a police media statement, initial investigations suggest that gas may have ignited and therefore triggered the Marshall Street explosion.
Police and gas engineers at scene of explosion in Marshall Street, Yeadon, Leeds
(Image: Andrew Robinson / YorkshireLive)
The source of the gas is currently under investigation.
Northern Gas has made the gas mains connected to local residences safe.
The area has been roped off from the public by authorities, with police adding that cordons on Marshall Street will remain in place throughout Thursday as further investigations take place
Get all the latest big and breaking Leeds news straight to your mobile via WhatsApp by clicking here.
If you don’t like our community, you can leave any time. We also treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Read our privacy notice here.