A woman has been found dead and a man has suffered life-threatening injuries following a devastating house explosion from a dodgy boiler, it it alleged
West Midlands Fire Service confirmed this morning that a woman was found dead at the scene. In a tweet, they added: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with everyone affected."
One property was destroyed and six others and several cars were damaged in the explosion. Nearby Warren Farm Primary School also had to shut today after the force of the blast smashed its windows.
Emergency services descended on the scene in Dulwich Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham, at just after 8.30pm on Sunday with nearby residents being evacuated.
West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed a man "suffered very serious injuries" and was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
It said in a statement: "His condition on arrival at hospital was described as life threatening." Four further men were injured but discharged at the scene, it added.
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The three-bedroom terraced property had recently been sold for £160,000 by Birmingham-based Paul Carr Estate Agents.
Aerial images from the scene show a red 'sold' sign in the rubble. On the firm's website, the property's particulars states: "Boiler requires repair/replacement."
West Midlands Fire Service say it could take “days” before they discover the precise cause of the deadly gas blast.
A spokesperson said: “It could be days before the precise cause of a fatal gas explosion in Kingstanding is known.
“Investigations continue, at what is a very challenging scene.”
Fire crews remained at the scene into Monday morning, with West Midlands Fire Service saying just before 4:30am: "Good progress is being made by crews at the scene.
"We've scaled down the number of crews we have in attendance, but expect to remain at the scene well into Monday 27.
"A drone has been used to identify any hot spots. Further investigations by our Fire Investigation teams and other agencies will commence during daylight hours."
West Midlands Police said the cause of the blast remains unknown. However, unconfirmed reports suggest it was caused by gas.
Cadent vans for gas and vehicles from Western Power Distribution - who deal with electricity - were also at the scene.
Videos of the aftermath have been shared on Twitter in which car alarms can be heard going off as a fire still burns in the middle of the rubble.
In one clip, onlookers are seen watching the flames before suddenly fleeing.
People as far away as Sutton Coldfield are reporting as having heard the explosion.
Emergency calls were made at 8.38pm.
Police thanked those who had “helped shocked and injured neighbours”.
West Midlands Fire Service said 25 firefighters and six fire engines were dispatched.
Neighbour Callum Attwood was praised as a "hero" after he reportedly ran into the burning building to rescue someone.
His cousin Reece wrote on Twitter: "What happened in Kingstanding tonight is devastating... my cousin saved a life! He's a hero. I'm so proud of him.
"Get this spread round Twitter!! His actions, Braveness and courage to do what someone else wouldn't do and put his own life at risk to save a life! Hero CALLUM ATTWOOD."
On Facebook, Kiera Mae Parkinson added Callum had chest pains after inhaling smoke.
West Midlands Police also praised "heroic" neighbours who rescued the man that remains in hospital.
A police spokesperson said: “Obviously it’s a very sad and tragic set of circumstances and as already confirmed there has been one fatality, there is also one male critically ill in hospital at the moment.
“He is critical. We can’t release the identification of the male or the deceased, we’re obviously in the process of informing relatives and we will release that as soon as we can.
“I’d just like to say a huge thank you, there were some heroic actions from the members of the community last night. I’d like to say thank you to the community.
“We’ve got some really strong relationships with the community and we will continue to work to support them in the set of these tragic circumstances, provide the support that they need.".
A reporter for BirminghamLive at the scene said he was hearing stories of "community spirit", with neighbours from outside the cordon taking in those who had to leave their homes.
One woman living nearby described hearing a huge explosion as she was putting her bins out.
She said a friend who messaged her initially thought it was in Handsworth and added: "I just hope there are no fatalities."
Another neighbour said: "I had just gone into the toilet downstairs and shut the door. The explosion happened as I shut the door.
"Living rooms windows have shattered. There was glass everywhere. The house shook and I fell on the floor, I thought it was an earthquake. I heard a man shout help."
Police have asked for people not to post distressing images online.
The ambulance service said in a statement: “A man was helped from the property by people at the scene but had 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 hospital was described as life threatening.
“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.”
The fire service said in a statement: "At 20:38 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 number of casualties or injuries is not confirmed at this time. We are working hard with colleagues from West Midlands Police, West Midlands Ambulance, Cadent Gas and National Grid to manage this incident.
"Dulwich Road is closed and is expected to be for some time. People are urged to avoid the area to allow the emergency services to do their work.
"West Midlands Police are managing evacuations in the area and we urge those local to the incident to follow the instructions of emergency service officers at the scene."
