Man airlifted to hospital after explosion in Derbyshire home as dozens of residents evacuated

Residents reported hearing an ‘awful bang’ this morning that ‘shook the road’

Firefighters were called to Ollersett Avenue, New Mills, at 8.07am (Aaron Chown/PA) (PA Wire)

A man has been airlifted to hospital and residents evacuated from their homes following an explosion in a Derbyshire town.

Firefighters were called to Ollersett Avenue, New Mills, at 8.07am and evacuated 12 properties in the area.

Emergency services are asking local residents to keep their windows and doors closed while it deals with the incident. Police, an air ambulance and representatives from Cadent - a gas distribution network - are also at the scene.

One local resident told DerbyshireLive: “That explains the awful bang this morning, it shook our road. I hope everyone is ok. Absolute respect for the extremely quick response of the emergency services.”

East Midlands Ambulance service said the man was taken to Sheffield Northern General Hospital by air ambulance. The cause of the explosion is not known. It is being investigated by Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service.

High Peak Borough Council has set up a refuge at a leisure centre for residents impacted by the explosion. It has warned people to stay away from the area of the explosion.

In a statement on its Facebook page, High Peak Borough Council said: Following an explosion at a property in New Mills, a rest centre for affected residents is available at New Mills Leisure Centre (Hyde Bank Rd, New Mills, SK22 4BP).

“Anyone affected is encouraged to go to the Leisure Centre where members of the Derbyshire Emergency Volunteers will be able to help.

“The emergency services are at the location and are working to make the area safe. Please stay away from the area.”

In a statement, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue said: “Firefighters are working to make the scene safe alongside partners from Derbyshire Constabulary, Derbyshire County Council, East Midlands Ambulance and Cadent.”

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said: “Officers are in attendance but this is in support of the immediate response to the incident – we will support any investigation that flows from this in due course.”

A spokesperson for East Midlands Ambulance service 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.”