Birmingham explosion: Man suffers life-threatening injurieson June 27, 2022 at 12:10 am

A man suffered life-threatening injuries in a gas explosion that destroyed a house in Birmingham and badly damaged at least three others.

Emergency services were called just after 20:30 BST to the scene on Dulwich Road, in Kingstanding.

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.

The badly injured man was taken to the city’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment in its major trauma centre.

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”.

The incident is believed to have been caused by a gas explosion, West Midlands Fire Service said.

West Midlands Police thanked those who had “helped shocked and injured neighbours”.

One man posted on Twitter to praise his cousin, who he said had run into the burning building to rescue someone.

Birmingham councillor Sharon Thompson said her thoughts were “with everyone involved in tonight’s horrific explosion”.

Six fire crews, three ambulances, five paramedic officers and a national inter-agency liaison officer were among the resources sent to the scene.

West Midlands Fire Service said Cadent Gas and the National Grid were among those working to manage the incident.

“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 fire service 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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