A woman who was killed in a devastating house blast has been named for the first time as her partner fights for his life in hospital.
Doreen Rees-Bibb, 79, has been described by her family as a mum with a "heart of pure gold" after she lost her life in Sunday night's terrifying incident.
Emergency services swarmed Dulwich Road in Kingstanding, Birmingham, at just after 8.30pmwith nearby residents being evacuated.
It's after one property was destroyed while three others were damaged in a suspected gas explosion.
Heroic residents have previously described how they clambered past flaming debris, dust and rubble to pull an injured man out alive from the ruins of the house that exploded.
However, 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."
Doreen Rees-Bibb didn't survive the blaze, with an unnamed family member telling the Sun that she was "the life and soul of the party".
She was described as someone "full of warmth and love" and that she "had a heart of pure gold".
Her partner David Murphy, who owns the house, was pulled from the wreckage by hero neighbours and remains in hospital in a life-threatening condition.
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 previously said 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.”
West Midlands Police said the cause of the blast remains unknown. However, unconfirmed reports suggest it was caused by gas.
In one clip from the terrifying incident, onlookers are seen watching the flames before suddenly fleeing.
People as far away as Sutton Coldfield are reporting as having heard the explosion with emergency calls made at 8.38pm Sunday night.
Police have since thanked thanked those who had “helped shocked and injured neighbours”.
West Midlands Fire Service said 25 firefighters and six fire engines were dispatched to the scene.
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.
“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.".
