Two injured after property destroyed by gas explosion in Leeds
TWO MEN were rushed to hospital after a suspected gas explosion destroyed a house yesterday.
Shocked witnesses told how just before 3pm they heard a “horrendous” bang which sent debris flying into the air and shook neighbouring properties.
Emergency services said two injured men were inside the property in the Horsforth area of Leeds.
Their condition is not believed to be life-threatening.
One witness, Mark Wood, 56, said: “I had just come out of my house and there was a massive boom.
My first impression was that a bomb had gone off. I crouched down it was that loud. It sounded like it was a couple of doors away
“It was quite scary. My first impression was that a bomb had gone off. I crouched down it was that loud. It sounded like it was a couple of doors away.
“There was a cloud of dust and smoke that went in to the air. Everyone came out of their house and people were saying a house had blown up.”
Police cordoned off surrounding streets as firefighters investigated the cause of the blast.
Northern Gas Networks rushed engineers to the site.
Gas engineer Allen Hart, who had been working at a nearby property, said: “It was so shocking, it was horrendous to see. The tiles from the roof had blown up in the air and had come down and stuck into the grass.
“All the roof was in the road, when the fire brigade came they had to drive over it. It was like a war zone.”
Neighbour Carole Webster said: “It was a massive explosion. It lasted a few seconds. It was horrendous.”
A police spokesman said: “Road closures are in place and a neighbouring property has been evacuated due to structural damage. Enquiries are ongoing.”