UK
One dead and three in hospital after suspected gas explosion in Swansea
A man’s body has been pulled from the rubble of an explosion in Swansea, South Wales Police said.
Three people were rushed to hospital after the suspected gas blast.
One person had been reported missing earlier, but police confirmed his body had been found.
Superintendent Steve Jones said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the man who has lost his life and those affected by this tragic incident.
“We are doing everything possible to reduce the impact on the wider community and allow access to homes as quickly as possible where it is safe to do so.
“I would like to thank the community for the patience and support during what is a challenging incident.”
Two properties were extensively damaged, and neighbouring houses were also affected. An investigation is under way to establish the cause of the incident.
The location of the suspected gas explosion
A rest centre has been set up by the local authority at Morriston memorial hall, with emergency services supporting residents affected.
Councillor Ceri Evans, who represents Morriston on Swansea Council, said about 100 people had been evacuated following the blast.
South Wales Police and Mid and West Wales Fire Brigade have been at the major incident in Morriston and are appealing for people to avoid the area.
The blast was felt by houses miles away from the explosion.
The junction of Clydach Road and Field Close in Morriston, Swansea
Ioan Humphreys, who lives eight miles away in Rhos, Pontardawe, was on a Microsoft Teams meeting when he heard the bang.
“The house next door to me is having lots of building work done, so initially I thought it was a massive skip being delivered and dropped on their drive – it felt that close,” the 48-year-old Swansea University research officer said.
Another local resident, Sian Murray, told Sky News that she had never heard anything like it in her life.
“It was unbelievable. It was quite shocking actually. I walk past there practically everyday with the dog, so it is really scary,” she said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Suspected explosion was ‘like an earthquake’
Ms Murray described the community in Morriston as “very close knit” where everybody knows everyone.
She added: “[It is] shocking that it could happen. It makes you realise how dangerous gas is. I’m just shocked.
“I didn’t know what it was. It was like an earthquake. It was just really loud.”
Police had said they were called just after 11.20am on Monday to reports of an explosion at a property on the junction of Clydach Road and Field Close.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Morriston, Swansea West, Neath, Gorseinon and Port Talbot were called following “several reports” of a gas explosion.
In a statement, Wales & West Utilities, which maintains the gas network across Wales and the southwest of England, said: “We were called to reports of an explosion at a property in the Clydach Road area of Swansea and immediately sent a team of engineers.
“On arrival, we found that there had been severe structural damage to the property and the emergency services were in control of the scene. We are now working with them to make the area safe – as we do on all incidents of this nature.
“We do not yet know the cause of the explosion and our engineers will continue to support the emergency services as they carry out their work.”
The Welsh Ambulance Service also confirmed it attended the scene after receiving reports of an explosion.