A woman has died and a man is fighting for his life after a house was completely destroyed in a major explosion. The blast happened at house in Kingstanding, Birmigham, at around 8.30pm on Sunday (June 26).
Four other men suffered more minor injuries and were discharged by paramedics. Footage on social media showed flames, damage and debris from a terraced red brick house.
On Monday morning, West Midlands Fire Service confirmed a woman has been found dead at the scene, and a badly injured man was taken to the city's Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment in its major trauma centre.
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The incident is believed to have been caused by a gas explosion, West Midlands Fire Service said as they thanked those who had "helped shocked and injured neighbours".
There were reports that people had run into the burning building to rescue someone.
Following the blast and fire, which also damaged vehicles, evacuations took place and people were urged to avoid the area. Police said Dulwich Road and surrounding roads were closed and would be "for a very long time".
West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) said West Midlands Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, Cadent Gas and the National Grid all worked at the scene to bring the situation under control.
Six fire crews, three ambulances, five paramedic officers and a National Inter-Agency Liaison officer are among the resources that have been sent to the scene.
Aerial shots showed flames billowing into the sky on Sunday evening and show the level of devastation on Monday morning.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We sent three ambulances, five paramedic officers, the MERIT trauma doctor and critical care paramedic.
In a statement on its website, WMFS added: "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," it said. "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."
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