Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Gas explosion destroys four houses and leaves 15 injured

Andrew McCorkell
Wednesday 03 November 2010 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

A survivor spoke of the horrific explosion which flattened four houses and injured 15 people when a suspected gas blast tore through his home.

Leon Barker said that he was getting ready for work yesterday when the blast ripped through the terraced house he shares with his wife and three children in Merlin Road, Salford, Greater Manchester. Mr Barker said: "I wouldn't wish this on anyone – having to dig out my children."

Neighbours described a "massive booming noise" at about 7.15am – the sound could be heard up to five miles away. Investigators believe that the source of the explosion was the kitchen of an 82-year-old woman who is being treated in hospital for 30 per cent burns. She is currently in a critical but stable condition. More than 40 firefighters attended the blast and 200 homes were evacuated.

City West Housing Trust, which owns the homes, said that the gas supply was reconnected on Monday. Fire crews said that they were "amazed" that more people weren't seriously injured.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in