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Andover house explosion: Man found dead | Andover house explosion: Man found dead |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A man's body has been found in the wreckage of a house that was destroyed in an explosion. | A man's body has been found in the wreckage of a house that was destroyed in an explosion. |
Neighbours said they were awoken by a "loud bang" when the blast occurred in Andover, Hampshire, at about 02:30 GMT. | Neighbours said they were awoken by a "loud bang" when the blast occurred in Andover, Hampshire, at about 02:30 GMT. |
Photos from the scene of the collapse in Launcelot Close, off King Arthurs Way, appear to show the remains of a roof on top of a large pile of rubble. | Photos from the scene of the collapse in Launcelot Close, off King Arthurs Way, appear to show the remains of a roof on top of a large pile of rubble. |
Following a search, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) said all other occupants had been accounted for. | Following a search, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) said all other occupants had been accounted for. |
Residents in neighbouring properties were evacuated, the local council said. | Residents in neighbouring properties were evacuated, the local council said. |
'Skeleton of a house' | 'Skeleton of a house' |
Local resident William Cooper said he was awoken by the explosion in the early hours. | Local resident William Cooper said he was awoken by the explosion in the early hours. |
"I looked out of the window and there was just loads of rubble," he added. | "I looked out of the window and there was just loads of rubble," he added. |
He said only the "skeleton of a house" had been left following the explosion. | He said only the "skeleton of a house" had been left following the explosion. |
Gas firm SGN said its engineers joined the emergency services on site in the early hours of the morning. | Gas firm SGN said its engineers joined the emergency services on site in the early hours of the morning. |
"We understand an occupant in the property at the time of the explosion has died and our thoughts are with them and their family," it added in a statement. | "We understand an occupant in the property at the time of the explosion has died and our thoughts are with them and their family," it added in a statement. |
"While it is too early to speculate as to what has happened, we're working closely with the emergency services to help identify the cause. | "While it is too early to speculate as to what has happened, we're working closely with the emergency services to help identify the cause. |
"In conjunction with the authorities, we're currently working to isolate gas supplies to property numbers one and two for safety." | "In conjunction with the authorities, we're currently working to isolate gas supplies to property numbers one and two for safety." |
Liam Robinson said he only avoided being at home overnight because he was in hospital with a broken hip. | |
"I'm still in shock. I came back from hospital and the next thing I knew my house was blown up," he said. | |
"I wouldn't be here right now if I hadn't broken my hip. I've got mixed emotions - I'm happy I wasn't in there." | |
Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council, said: "This is truly devastating and our thoughts are with all those affected." | Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council, said: "This is truly devastating and our thoughts are with all those affected." |
He said the council had also been on the scene since the early hours and was helping to look after those residents who had been evacuated from their homes at a community facility. | He said the council had also been on the scene since the early hours and was helping to look after those residents who had been evacuated from their homes at a community facility. |
A spokesman for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said fire crews had now left the scene. | |
He said: "We had the one fatality and other persons were soon accounted for. Fire crews have now left the scene and the search and rescue is now finished. | He said: "We had the one fatality and other persons were soon accounted for. Fire crews have now left the scene and the search and rescue is now finished. |
"It is being handed over to police and the gas board are continuing their investigations." | "It is being handed over to police and the gas board are continuing their investigations." |