Birmingham explosion: Woman dead as gas blast completely DESTROYS home

Estimated read time 9 min read


Birmingham: Emergency services respond to scene of explosion

In a tweet this morning, West Midlands Fire Service said that a woman was found dead at the scene last night. The service added that their “thoughts and sympathies are with everyone affected.” Meanwhile a man remains in a “life-threatening” condition after the blast which destroyed a house in Kingstanding.

Pictures of the incident, taken by a drone, show the house has been completely destroyed by the explosion. 

Aerial view images show rubble strewn across the back garden and front drive, while neighbouring houses are scorched.

Residents have said how they clambered past flaming debris, through dust and rubble, shortly after the blast and pulled out an injured man alive from the ruins of the house.

One man, who declined to give his name, said: “Everyone was watching, the house was on fire, nobody was going in, so we could see a way in – so we went in the house, me and about a dozen others”.

He said the dust from the loft insulation burned around them as they rescued a man from the back of the house.

One of the people who “put [their] own life at risk” by running into the burning house to save someone inside, according to their cousin on social media. 

In a post, they called their relative a “hero”.

A woman has died after a gas blast in Birmingham

A woman has died after a gas blast in Birmingham (Image: SWNS)

A spokesperson from Cadent Gas said its personnel were at the site.

“Our teams are on-site at the incident in Kingstanding, assisting the multi-agency response as the gas emergency service for the West Midlands”.

“It’s too early to speculate on the cause. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted”.

“If ever anyone smells gas, nearby or anywhere, it is important to act immediately and ring the national gas emergency service on 0800 111 999.”

West Midlands Fire Service said a woman was found dead at the scene last night

West Midlands Fire Service said a woman was found dead at the scene last night (Image: SWNS)

Rick Payne, a city councillor for the ward, heard a “massive explosion” while watching television shortly after 8.30pm, and walked across to Dulwich Road to see what had happened.

He said: “I recognised that as probably most likely to be a gas explosion”

“The police are just saying that there’s quite a lot of houses damaged as a result – probably up to five or six houses.

“The house itself, where the explosion occurred, has physically been destroyed. Houses either side have, partially. Then the houses further along the street have been damaged collaterally from the blast.”

A man remains in a ‘life-threatening’ condition after the blast

A man remains in a ‘life-threatening’ condition after the blast (Image: SWNS)

Last night, West Midlands Police said in a statement posted on social media that there are reports of casualties, but the number of people is as yet unknown as is the severity of their injuries. 

Police officers, paramedics and firefighters as well as utility companies workers are that the scene of the explosion in Dulwich Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham.

The force’s statement added: “One house is destroyed with others significantly damaged. Cars have also been damaged.”

According to local reports, the sound of the explosion could be heard for miles. 

West Midlands Police said people are in the process of being evacuated and have been told to immediately follow first responders’ instructions.

Dulwich Road and surrounding routes have been closed and will be for a very long time, according to the force. Members of the public have been urged to avoid the area.

Pictures of the incident show the house has been completely destroyed by the explosion

Pictures of the incident show the house has been completely destroyed by the explosion (Image: SWNS)

The cause of the explosion is not yet known.

West Midlands Police said: “We will keep you updated regularly as soon as we have hard facts.”

Officers were called at 8.38pm on Sunday (June 26).

Footage shared on social media shows flames ravaging a house and smoke billowing skywards in front of a large crowd of onlookers as a large window frame crashes to the ground.

<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”de” dir=”ltr”>Absolute madness on Dulwich <a href=”https://twitter.com/birmingham_live?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@birmingham_live</a> <a href=”https://t.co/uwCN9luOoF”>pic.twitter.com/uwCN9luOoF</a></p>&mdash; AlexanderHôdgen (@PRED1875V) <a href=”https://twitter.com/PRED1875V/status/1541161696944918528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>June 26, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>

A house has been destroyed in an explosion in Birmingham

A house has been destroyed in an explosion in Birmingham (Image: TWITTER)

Neighbouring properties also appear to have damaged roofs and brickwork.

Members of the public shared their shock on social media with Twitter user Cara commenting: “The house explosion in Kingstanding is literally the worst thing I’ve ever felt or heard in my life.”

West Midlands Ambulance Service tweeted: “We are currently dealing with a significant incident in Dulwich Road in the Kingstanding area of Birmingham. A large number of ambulances resources are at the scene along with West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Police.

“The public are asked to keep away from the area to allow us to work.”

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Birmingham: House left in rubble after explosion in Kingstanding

West Midlands Fire Service said in a statement: “At 8.38pm fire crews responded to multiple reports of an explosion on Dulwich Lane, Kingstanding.

“The explosion, the cause of which is unknown at this time, has destroyed one property and caused damage to other properties and vehicles nearby.”

The Service said: “We are working hard with colleagues from West Midlands Police, West Midlands Ambulance, Cadent Gas and National Grid to manage this incident.”

Speaking at the scene on Sunday, WMFS area commander Steve Ball said: “Around 8.30pm this evening we were called to a gas explosion in a house.

“On arrival, it was quite a challenging scene, where one house had been completely destroyed, and three neighbouring properties had also been quite badly affected.

“One man had already been rescued, prior to our arrival, and he’s been taken care of by West Midlands Ambulance Service.

“He’s got life-threatening injuries and he’s gone to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Birmingham).

“On scene at the moment we’ve got six appliances, we’ve got our technical rescue teams and we’ve also got our fire dog here.”

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A crowd of onlookers at the scene

A crowd of onlookers at the scene (Image: TWITTER)

West Midlands Ambulance Service has since released a statement which confirmed one man is suffering from life-threatening injuries following the explosion.

The Ambulance Service was called at 8:40pm when “three ambulances, five paramedic officers, the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), the MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic, West Midlands CARE team, and an emergency planner were sent to the scene”.

A spokesperson from West Midlands Ambulance Service said: “One property has been completely destroyed with three others badly damaged. Cars have also been damaged.

“A man was helped from the property by people at the scene but has suffered very serious injuries.

“After assessment and treatment at the scene, he was taken on blue lights to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham with the MERIT team travelling with the ambulance.

“His condition on arrival at the hospital was described as life-threatening.”

Four other men suffered more minor injuries and were discharged by paramedics.

The spokesperson added: “Four further men have been assessed by ambulance crews for minor conditions but have been discharged at the scene.

“Members of the Hazardous Area Response Team continue to work with specialist firefighters at the scene.

Video shows a crowd turn and run from the scene in Birmingham

Video shows a crowd turn and run from the scene in Birmingham (Image: TWITTER)

West Midland’s Fire Service has since stated that the incident is believed to be a gas explosion and was attended to by six fire engines and 25 firefighters.

It has completely destroyed one property and significantly damaged three adjoining properties.

The statement also revealed that the man who is now at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital was rescued before the fire service arrived at the scene.

They added: “We have evacuated the affected and surrounding properties with our colleagues the West Midlands Police.

“Our search and rescue dog and handler have been mobilised to the scene and an additional search and rescue dog from Lancashire has been requested and is also en route to assist us.”

Planning officers from Birmingham City Council are on hand to assist residents who may need to be rehoused, while a structural engineer has also been requested.

The statement concluded: “We continue to ask the public to avoid the area and follow the instructions of on-scene emergency service officers.”

Emergency services at the scene in Kingstanding

Emergency services at the scene in Kingstanding (Image: Nick Horner/Birmingham Live)

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner also tweeted in response to the incident.

Simon Foster, who was elected as the region’s PCC last year, said: “Shocking news for Birmingham tonight.

“Thoughts are with the casualties and anyone else impacted.

“Please follow the current advice and stay clear of the scene.”

West Midlands Police has confirmed that many officers will stay on the scene overnight.

The force said: “They are working closely with West Midlands Fire and Birmingham City Council.

“All will remain there for as long as needed. Our officers were the first on the scene.

“They were real heroes.”

Gary Sambrook, the MP for Birmingham Northfield, tweeted: “My thoughts are with everyone tonight in Kingstanding following the horrific explosion in Dulwich Road – I lived off this road for 20+ years and know the community will rally round each other for support and love.

“Our emergency services, as ever, have shown true professionalism.”





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