A man in his 90s has died after a gas explosion erupted and blew a hole in the side of a house in Manchester this evening.
Images show a large police presence at the scene in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester with a large amount of smoke billowing into the sky after residents reported hearing a 'huge explosion'.
Motorists have been told to avoid the area while emergency services deal with the incident, which is thought to have happened around 6.45pm.
A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: "We are currently attending an incident on Brownley Road in Manchester. Road closures are in place. Please keep your doors and windows closed if you are in the area."
One resident told the Manchester Evening News they had heard a "massive bang" which they initially thought was caused by a car crash, while others spoke of their shock after the explosion.
One neighbour, who lives four doors down from the fire, said: “I heard the massive bang. At first I thought a car had crashed or somebody was knocking my door down then I came outside and saw all the police and fire engines.”
Another said: “ I just can’t believe it this has really shaken us all up.”
An eyewitness has also recalled the moment he tried to "kick the door down" to rescue the person inside.
After hearing an "almighty bang" he said he looked at the house and saw that "all the windows were blown out and the glass was all over the road".
He went on: "I ran over and a neighbour was shouting the name of the man who lives there. To try and get an idea of if he was conscious and at home.
"Me and another gentleman tried to kick the door down but couldn't get enough force to kick it in."
Another resident said he ran to the nearby fire station to raise the alarm, but the crews were already in their trucks.
He added: "Within 10 minutes there was 3 fire engines there, around 10 or 12 police cars, with the officers evacuating nearby houses and asking onlookers to distance themselves from the house as some firemen were hosing water through where the upstairs window was, just in case there was a live fire in the building that we couldn't see."
Within the next 10-15 minutes there were a fleet of ambulances on the scene, he said.
The next-door neighbour to the explosion site reportedly bought a carbon-monoxide alarm this morning because he could smell gas, he added.
In a tweet sent to the Manchester Evening News, one person said: "Fire in house on Brownly Rd #Wythenshawe police surrounding roads and closed to traffic and Metrolink." There are delays in the area, travel services have said.
Some locals are being allowed to return home "within a few hours" while others are being given temporary accommodation for the night.
A nearby church has offered residents somewhere warm to grab a tea and refreshments after the ordeal, MEN reports.
Greater Manchester Police announced that one man had tragically been killed in the explosion.
A statement read: "Emergency services attended Brownley Road, Manchester, at about 6:30pm tonight (31 March 2022) after reports of a gas explosion.
"Sadly, a man was located deceased inside a property.
"A number of houses were evacuated and the scene made safe at about 8pm.
"Several properties are without power and emergency services remain on scene this evening with road closures in place.
"Investigations are ongoing and officers are supporting the deceased man's family."
Stagecoach have said they have also have to divert services. A tweet posted says: "Route 43. Due to a police incident on Brownley Rd in Wythenshawe, the 43 service is diverting in both directions via Hollyhedge Rd and Broadoak Rd (103 route) We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause."
Travel service Inrix says: "Brownley Road in both directions closed due to police incident between Crossacres Road and Mayfair Road. Traffic is coping well.
"The road has been closed since 18:50. Metrolink services are also suspended as a result."
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "At around 6.30pm today (31 March), crews were called to reports of a fire at a domestic property on Brownley Road in Manchester.
"Four fire engines from Bolton North, Cheadle, Wythenshawe and Stockport stations, and the Technical Rescue Unit from Ashton attended.
"Firefighters assessed the scene and are using breathing apparatus and hose reels to control the fire and make the scene safe.
"Crews are working with colleagues from Greater Manchester Police and North West Ambulance Service and are currently still on the scene."
