Huge gas explosion kills man and destroys house on leafy cul-de-sac in North Yorkshire

AT least one person has been killed in a massive house explosion in North Yorkshire today.
Shocked neighbours reported hearing a loud bang before a thick cloud of smoke filled the street in Haxby, near York. 

Police are urging people to stay away from the scene, and stay indoors if they live in the area

 A 63-year-old man who lived at the property has since been confirmed dead. North Yorkshire Police also confirmed the explosion was believed to have been caused by gas. Windows in houses on the leafy residential cul-de-sac were blown out and debris has been scattered across the road and gardens.

Huge explosion destroys house

Neighbours heard a loud bang before a thick cloud of smoke filled the street

 Terrified witnesses described the blast as a "mix of a bomb, a plane crash and a bus crashing into the house". Local residents reported their homes were shaken by the blast which could be felt and heard for miles.

Emergency services at the scene of the gas blast in Haxby, North Yorkshire

Dramatic footage shows the property reduced to rubble following the suspected gas explosion at 7.30am. Bus driver Tom Holland, 28, who lives near to the explosion, said: "I felt a shockwave. It was like an earthquake.

Google StreetView shows the detached home before the blast

 "The whole room shook for a second. I've seen on social media that it has been felt in other parts of York too. "The stench down there is unbelievable and there is loads of smoke. "The house that exploded is completely gone. It is just pile of rubbish.


"It has shattered windows from a number of houses each side of it and I saw at least one car that had its windows blown out. "There was around four or five ambulances outside and people were being treated for shock. I also saw three or four fire engines and a number of police cars."

The family who live there are believed to be on holiday when the explosion happened. Rob Varley, 30, who lives on the next street to where the blast happened, said: "There was a massive bang at around 7.30am.

"It was like a mix of a bomb, a plane crash and a bus crashing into the house. "Our house shook and it felt like a bus had driven into the house. "I looked out the window and saw smoke coming from the houses.

"I ran outside to see if anyone was hurt and saw the house in pieces. "There was so much devastation and it had started to set on fire again and so we backed away." Mr Varley added: "Both sides next door have been hit very badly by it.

"There was an air of distress when it happened. You just don't know what happened. "You just hope that no one was inside. "Talking to people in the street they said the people that lived there weren't there during the week and there wasn't a car there so hopefully they were still away when it happened."

Fire, police and ambulance services are all at the scene and the area has been cordoned off. Firefighters are carrying out a search of the property following the explosion. Police are urging people to stay away from the scene, and stay indoors if they live in the area.

North Yorkshire Police tweeted: "Emergency services urge members of the public to remain indoors and away from a major incident ongoing in #HaxbyYork. Please stay safe." A relief centre has been set up at the nearby Haxby Memorial Hall for those affected by the explosion.

A force statement said: "Emergency services are at the scene of an explosion at a property in Springwood, Haxby near York. "Extensive damage has been caused to one house and a number of others in the area are also damaged.

"Local residents have been evacuated and a rest centre has been set up at Haxby Memorial Hall for those affected. "The explosion was reported to North Yorkshire Police at 7.30am today.

"There is at least one casualty, however, we are unable to provide any further information regarding casualties at this stage. "The area is cordoned off and there will be disruption to the surrounding area as emergency services work to protect the wider area."
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