SERIOUS EXPLOSION IN BIRSTALL
Following a call at 07:35 hours, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service attended an explosion at a residential property in Birstall in the early hours of this morning (Monday 11 December). A semi-detached property had collapsed, the adjoining property had partially collapsed and a large number of other properties have been damaged, leaving a number of residents injured. The cause of the explosion is under investigation, but is believed to be gas-related.
We can confirm that there were three casualties, all of whom were all conveyed to hospital. The severity of their injuries is unconfirmed at this time.
A total of four fire appliances, plus our Technical Rescue and Search and Rescue teams and the East Midlands Fire Investigation Dog, are in attendance at the incident and are being supported by Leicestershire Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service, along with other partner agencies.
This incident has led to Allington Drive being closed, and it is likely to remain so for a number of hours while enquiries are carried out. A number of houses in the street have also been evacuated as a precaution. The building inspectors are currently onsite checking the structures of the effected houses, making sure they are safe for residents.
Tim Hargraves, East Midlands Ambulance Service Duty Operations Manager, said: “We were called to the incident in Birstall, Leicester at 7.37am on 11 December.”
“Our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), a paramedic in an ambulance car, three ambulance crews, two air ambulances and the East Midlands Emergency Care Scheme (a team of doctors who volunteer) have been dispatched to the scene and are working hard to provide emergency medical and traumatic care and treatment. One patient has been taken by air ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, one patient has been taken by air ambulance to the Major Trauma Centre in Coventry, and one patient is due to be taken by ambulance to the Leicester Royal Infirmary.”
Notes to editors: Interviews are available at request via Corporate Communications using the details shown below.
About the Service
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.
The Service’s prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents. In the last ten years, fire related incidents have reduced by 46 percent.
During 2015/16, the Service attended 666 road traffic collisions, of which 174 were extrications freeing 208 people trapped inside their vehicles and completed 5086 home fire safety checks, fitting almost 4481 smoke alarms. Staff organised or supported almost 1431 events aimed at promoting fire and road safety and arson prevention, whilst also visiting 332 schools to deliver fire and road safety education to pupils.
Contact:
Corporate Communications
0116 229 2195
corporate.communications@lfrs.org
