This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-22606364
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Newark house blast: Homes to be demolished | Newark house blast: Homes to be demolished |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Two houses are being demolished after an explosion which killed two people at a terraced house in Nottinghamshire, emergency planners said. | Two houses are being demolished after an explosion which killed two people at a terraced house in Nottinghamshire, emergency planners said. |
The victims, named locally as Leslie Rourke, 71, and his daughter-in-law, Jeanette Rourke, 40, died in the blast in Wright Street, Newark, on Sunday. | |
The district council said demolition work was being carried out on houses either side of the property. | The district council said demolition work was being carried out on houses either side of the property. |
Structural engineers will then assess three other neighbouring properties. | Structural engineers will then assess three other neighbouring properties. |
Four other people were injured in the explosion, including Mrs Rourke's husband Nick, who remains in a serious condition in hospital. | |
'Rallying round' | 'Rallying round' |
A woman and two children from the neighbouring property were taken to hospital but later discharged. | A woman and two children from the neighbouring property were taken to hospital but later discharged. |
Up to 100 people had to leave their homes after the blast on Sunday evening and 30 people were still unable to return home on Tuesday. | Up to 100 people had to leave their homes after the blast on Sunday evening and 30 people were still unable to return home on Tuesday. |
Rob Fisher, from the county council, said: "What we're doing today is working with those residents to see if we can get them back into their homes as far as possible." | Rob Fisher, from the county council, said: "What we're doing today is working with those residents to see if we can get them back into their homes as far as possible." |
Many people were allowed back to Wright Street to retrieve belongings with a police escort on Monday, Mr Fisher said. | Many people were allowed back to Wright Street to retrieve belongings with a police escort on Monday, Mr Fisher said. |
Newark MP Patrick Mercer spoke to residents in the aftermath of the blast. | Newark MP Patrick Mercer spoke to residents in the aftermath of the blast. |
"The community has closed in very quickly to support those who have been injured, hurt and of course frightened," he said. | "The community has closed in very quickly to support those who have been injured, hurt and of course frightened," he said. |
"Local churches have been absolutely superb and I must take my hat off to the emergency services, fire and ambulance were here within minutes." | "Local churches have been absolutely superb and I must take my hat off to the emergency services, fire and ambulance were here within minutes." |
The Charles Street Methodist Church has been turned into a drop-in centre for residents. | The Charles Street Methodist Church has been turned into a drop-in centre for residents. |
People have left donations including bedding, toys, toiletries and electrical items for those affected. | People have left donations including bedding, toys, toiletries and electrical items for those affected. |
The Reverend Philip Macdonald said: "I think in situations like this everyone feels quite helpless really and obviously people are in a state of shock. | |
"Everyone is rallying round and doing whatever they can." | "Everyone is rallying round and doing whatever they can." |
Jenny Samuels, 29, who lives near the blast site, said she had raised more than £600 to help those affected through an online donation site. | |
"I thought setting up this page would help a lot of people," she said. | "I thought setting up this page would help a lot of people," she said. |
"It's shaken everybody an awful lot. Everyone's struggling for money at the moment but people are managing to find a bit to put towards this to help these families which is absolutely fantastic." | "It's shaken everybody an awful lot. Everyone's struggling for money at the moment but people are managing to find a bit to put towards this to help these families which is absolutely fantastic." |
Police said they were keeping an open mind about the cause of the blast but were looking at the possibility that it was caused by a family member doing DIY in the home. |