A man is continuing to fight for his life in hospital following a house explosion in New Mills. The man, believed to be in his 70s, was airlifted to hospital from the scene of the blast on Ollersett Avenue in the Derbyshire town, near Stockport, on Tuesday morning (November 14).
A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said this morning (Friday) he remained there in a critical condition. A huge emergency response was scrambled to the street after the explosion, including police officers, firefighters, paramedics and the air ambulance. Neighbours in at least a dozen properties were evacuated, with some not able to return home until the following afternoon.
READ MORE: Fire breaks out at row of houses before people evacuated
Police said a joint investigation into the 'circumstances of the incident' is ongoing, however 'this is being delayed due to the structural damage to the property'. There is no risk to the community and all utilities have been made safe.
A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said: "The man injured in the explosion remains in hospital in a critical condition. A joint investigation is ongoing into the circumstances of the incident, however, this is being delayed due to the structural damage to the property.
"However, there is no risk to the wider community and all utilities have been made safe in the area. Officers will remain at the scene until the investigation has been completed."
Eyewitnesses described how they woke to their street 'shaking' after the explosion. They said they saw a man ‘dragged out’ of the wreckage by neighbours after the blast, which left the property in pieces.
Those living on the street said the explosion ‘just missed’ a number of children walking to the nearby school. “It could’ve been a lot worse,” one commented.
Another described the roof of the house as ‘looking like it had been lifted up and plonked back down again’.
“I was in my house when I felt the street shake,” one man said. “I don’t even know what happened - it just sort of happened.”
The most recent fire service update said: "All fire engines have left the scene of an explosion at a bungalow on Ollersett Avenue, New Mills, which took place yesterday morning (Tuesday 14 November). A cordon remains in place and has been left with Derbyshire police.
"Those who were able returned to their properties this morning (Wednesday 15 November) after the scene was made safe by firefighters and partner agencies. An investigation into the exact cause of the explosion remains underway."
A spokesperson for East Midlands Ambulance Service previously said: "We received a call at 8.10am today, Tuesday 14 November to a private address in New Mills, High Peak. The caller reported a medical emergency.
"We sent a paramedic in an ambulance car, two crewed ambulances and the air ambulance was also in attendance. One patient was transported to Sheffield Northern General Hospital via air ambulance."
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