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Detectives standing guard at hospital beside of man, 33, arrested over Manchester house explosion which left two people seriously injured

Homes destroyed as neighbours compare sound to a bomb going off

DETECTIVES are standing guard at the hospital bed of a suspect arrested after an explosion destroyed two homes and left another man in a critical condition.

The 33-year-old man under police watch suffered  burns to his face, arms and hands and will need surgery.

One house has been destroyed and another badly damaged in the blast
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One house has been destroyed and another badly damaged in the blast
Pictures show the destruction caused by the blast in Manchester
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Pictures show the destruction caused by the blast in ManchesterCredit: Twitter: GMFRS Air Unit
Cops are keeping guard at the bedside of a man arrested in connection with the blast
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Cops are keeping guard at the bedside of a man arrested in connection with the blastCredit: Twitter: GMFRS Air Unit

He is being held on suspicion of causing an explosion likely to endanger life after a suspected gas blast reduced homes in a  Manchester street to rubble at about 12.30pm on Monday.

A second 29-year-old man is in a critical condition, sedated in intensive care, after suffering burns and being "thrown a considerable distance".
The blast devastated two properties and left neighbouring homes damaged.

Three more people were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Locals said there had been a row at the house before the blast.

Detective Inspector Dave Sinclair, leading the investigation for Greater Manchester Police, said:  "Following some initial inquiries and investigations, we established there was evidence so suggest this was a criminal investigation.

"We are keeping an open mind in terms of the exact cause of the explosion, but based on evidence we have gathered so far, I'm satisfied at this stage we have evidence there is some criminality there."

This is the scene of the explosion on Ceil Road in Blackley, Manchester
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This is the scene of the explosion on Ceil Road in Blackley, ManchesterCredit: GMFRS
Emergency services are still at the scene of the explosion and five people are reported to be injured
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Emergency services are still at the scene of the explosion and five people are reported to be injuredCredit: GMFRS
One man has been taken to Salford Royal Hospital following the explosion
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One man has been taken to Salford Royal Hospital following the explosionCredit: GMFRS
Neighbours in the area compared the loud noise to a “bomb going off”
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Neighbours in the area compared the loud noise to a “bomb going off”Credit: GMFRS

Mr Sinclair said further investigations will be carried out once the house is structurally safe to enter.

He said witnesses had already come forward with "really pivotal" information but asked for anyone else with information to contact police.

The reported that neighbours had compared the noise to a “bomb going off”, while images shared on social media showed a home completely destroyed by the blast.

A fire service spokesman said: “At 1.40pm five crews from Blackley, Ashton, Central First, Broughton and Chadderton were called to a partially collapsed end terrace in Victoria Avenue, Blackley.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 3101 and quote the reference number 880 of 16/01/17, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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