Greater Manchester explosion: Two injured after horror blast at house in Hyde
TWO men have been raced to hospital after an explosion at a house in Greater Manchester.
Builder explains how he pulled two men to safety after explosion
Fire crews raced to the terraced house in Meadowfield Court, Hyde this morning after neighbours reported hearing a "big bang".
The victims are being treated in hospital after suffering serious burns, while nearby houses have been evacuated as a precaution.
The cause of the explosion, which broke out shortly after 10:45am, is still under investigation.
You could see the flames going through the roof
Neighbour Ellen Thomas told the Manchester Evening News: "We heard a big bang like a bomb going off.
"There were flames shooting out of the roof and window. It was awful."
Another witness, Hannah Jackson, added: "You could see the flames going through the roof. There was a well established amount of services there.
"There was a number of people coming out of the homes, they seemed bewildered and confused."
The house in Meadowfield Court, Hyde went up in flames this morning
Builder Tony Cantwell, who was working nearby, said he ran into the burning house to rescue the two men.
He said: "The door was on one hinge basically, so I kicked it open and this gentleman was in a state of shock.
"Then someone said to me there was another gentleman inside, and he was disabled and in a wheelchair so I grabbed him."
"I'm not a hero, you never think, you just think of other people. I would like to think I was just doing what anyone would do."
The cause of the horrific explosion is still under investigation
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said around 30 firefighters are at the scene of the blast.
A spokesman added: "At 10.46am today three fire engines, from Stalybridge and Gorton, along with a Technical Response Unit and a Major Rescue Unit from Leigh were mobilised to Meadowfield Court following reports of an explosion.
"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are using hose reels to tackle the fire which involves a terraced house."
Around 30 firefighters are at the scene of the blast in Greater Manchester
A spokeswoman for the North West Ambulance Service: "We got a call at 10.49am to reports of a fire.
"One patient has gone to Wythenshawe Hospital by road ambulance. The second patient is going to hospital by road ambulance, but has not been taken yet.
"We still have a number of resources on the scene, including a helicopter and our Hazardous Response Team."