A man has died and three people have been taken to hospital after a suspected gas explosion in south Wales.
A search of the scene uncovered the body of a man who had been unaccounted for after the blast in Swansea on Monday, South Wales police said. Two properties were extensively damaged and other neighbouring properties were also damaged.
Supt Steve Jones said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has lost his life and those affected by this tragic incident. We are doing everything possible to reduce the impact on the wider community and allow access to homes as quickly as possible where it is safe to do so. I would like to thank the community for the patience and support during what is a challenging incident.”
Members of the public were told to avoid the junction of Field Close and Clydach Road in the Morriston area, where pictures showed wrecked buildings and debris scattered on the street.
Donna Fernandez, who lives next door to the site of the explosion, told how she and other neighbours rescued a teenage occupant of the house before he was taken to hospital.
“I came out of my house and saw the young teenager who lives next door in the wreckage of the house near the roof,” she said. “Me and our neighbours got him out, he’s only about 13,” said Fernandez, an NHS worker. “They’re a lovely family, a family of three. We just can’t believe this has happened.”
About 100 people were evacuated after the blast, according to Ceri Evans, a local councillor, who said many residents were shocked and uncertain about when they could return home.
He said about 30 properties had been affected, with residents either staying with relatives or going to a nearby pub, rugby club or community centre for shelter.
“There’s shock but also if it had happened maybe a couple of hours earlier it could have been a lot worse given how busy that part of Morriston is,” Evans said.
Some of the residents evacuated were vulnerable and were being assisted by the British Red Cross.
Social media users reported hearing the explosion from miles away. Phone footage appeared to show a number of destroyed terrace houses.
A rest centre has been set up by Swansea council, according to the police, who added: “A cordon remains in place and people are asked to avoid the area while the incident is ongoing. Clydach Road remains closed and traffic is being diverted.
Fire crews who responded included those from Morriston, Swansea West and other areas including Port Talbot.
Wales & West Utilities, which operates the gas distribution network across Wales and south-west England, said it had sent a team of engineers.
“We are now working with them to make the area safe, as we do on all incidents of this nature,” said a spokesperson. “We do not yet know the cause of the explosion and our engineers will continue to support the emergency services as they carry out their work.”
Leanne Lewis told Wales Online she had been visiting her mother in the area and ran outside when she heard the explosion. “There was dust, rubble, and the glass in the windows next to the house were all blown. The noise was just horrendous and I thought there had been a big crash,” she said.
