New Mills explosion: Neighbours dragged seriously ill victim in his 70s from house after blast rocked street

HEROIC neighbours this morning dragged a man out of a house after a gas explosion blew off the roof and "shook the whole street".

Emergency services were forced to evacuate 12 homes in the the rural village of New Mills this morning.

Witnesses say they saw a man ‘dragged out’ of the wreckage by neighbours after the explosion which left the property in pieces.

One man described the house as ‘looking like a demolition site’.

The victim, who is believed to be in his seventies, was rushed to hospital by the air ambulance, and 12 properties were evacuated. A cordon remains in place as police and fire crews work to make the scene safe.

Those living on the street said the explosion just missed a number of children walking to the nearby school.

“It could’ve been a lot worse,” one commented.

Another described the roof of the house as ‘looking like it had been lifted up and plonked back down again’.

“I was in my house when I felt the street shake,” one man said.

Another neighbour said he had been asleep but woke up to the sound of a ‘huge bang’.

“I went and looked out my bedroom window and could see loads of smoke coming from the house,” he said.

At a press conference this afternoon, group manager Nathan Stevens from Derbyshire Fire and Inspector Anna Woodhouse from Derbyshire Police described their presence at the scene as ‘significant’ and said they will conduct a joint investigation into the cause. There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances at this time.

They said most evacuated residents will be able to return home this evening, but there will be a few who won’t. Affected residents were urged to attend the rest centre and work with police to ensure everyone returns home safely.

People have been warned to say away from the area.

The council said: "Following an explosion at a property in New Mills, a rest centre for affected residents is available at New Mills Leisure Centre. Anyone affected should to go to the Leisure Centre where the Derbyshire Emergency Volunteers will be able to help. Please stay away from the area."

Derbyshire Fire service said: "Firefighters are currently dealing with an explosion on Ollersett Avenue, New Mills. The exact cause of the explosion is still being investigated.

"Fire crews from New Mills, Glossop, Whaley Bridge and Buxton with the command support unit were called to the incident at 8.07 hours this morning. Twelve properties in the surrounding area have been evacuated.

"Those who have been evacuated from their properties are asked to attend New Mills Leisure Centre to register that they have been evacuated. Other local residents are asked to keep their windows and doors closed while emergency services deal with the incident.

A spokesperson for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We received a call at 8.10am today, Tuesday 14 November to a private address in New Mills, High Peak. The caller reported a medical emergency.

"We sent a paramedic in an ambulance car, two crewed ambulances and the air ambulance was also in attendance. One patient was transported to Sheffield Northern General Hospital via air ambulance."

He added: "I’m really concerned about reports from New Mills where number of homes have been evacuated following an explosion on Ollersett Avenue.

"My office are in contact with both Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, High Peak Borough Council and Derbyshire Police.

"Twelve properties have been evacuated and other residents living nearby have been asked to keep their doors and windows closed.

"A rest centre had been set up for residents at New Mills Leisure Centre.

"The exact cause of the explosion was still being investigated but it has been reported to be a gas explosion."