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| Andover house explosion: Man, 48, found dead | |
| (about 1 hour 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. |
| The body of a 48-year-old man was found at the scene. His next-of-kin have been informed. | |
| 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. | 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'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." | "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." |
| Ch Insp Kory Thorne, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: "This is a tragic incident in which a man has died, and we are working hard to find out what happened. | |
| "This process will take some time and a cordon will remain in place in the coming days. | |
| He appealed for anyone who had witnessed to blast to come forward. | |
| 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. | 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." |