Residents are hoping to return to their homes this afternoon after an explosion at a nearby bungalow left one man in hospital.
Eyewitnesses described seeing flames rising from the roof of the house this morning in New Mills, Derbyshire, after feeling the ground shake. One man was airlifted to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield, the ambulance service said. Their condition has not yet been confirmed.
A total 39 people have also been evacuated as a precaution, with some likely to have to stay in alternative accommodation overnight. The cause of the explosion is still being investigated, while a local MP said he had heard reports that it was a gas explosion.
A spokesperson for Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) said: "Twelve properties in the surrounding area have been evacuated. Those who have been evacuated from their properties are asked to attend New Mills Leisure Centre to register that they have been evacuated.
"Other local residents are asked to keep their windows and doors closed while emergency services deal with the incident. The air ambulance is on the scene."
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Photographs from the scene show multiple fire engines pulled up along a residential street. One resident told local media: "That explains the awful bang this morning, it shook our road. I hope everyone is ok. Absolute respect for the extremely quick response of the emergency services."
A local leisure centre is being used to provide help to people affected. High Peak Borough Council wrote on social media: "Following an explosion at a property in New Mills, a rest centre for affected residents is available at New Mills Leisure Centre. Anyone affected should to go to the Leisure Centre where the Derbyshire Emergency Volunteers will be able to help."
DFRS had earlier advised people to avoid the area and keep their windows and doors closed. They wrote on Twitter: "We are currently dealing with a serious incident on Ollersett Avenue, New Mills. New Mills, Glossop, Whaley Bridge & Buxton with the command support unit are on scene. Please avoid the area & keep windows & doors closed. DerbysPolice & EMASNHSTrust also in attendance."
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Emergency responders in New Mills say they are "scaling back" as of 4pm this afternoon.
Some services, including Cadent Gas, Derbyshire Police and the National Grid remain on the scene for "safety purposes", according to Derbyshire Fire and Rescue.
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Terrified neighbours have described the moment they woke up to the devastating explosion and felt the street "shake".
Residents living in New Mills said they heard a "huge bang" and compared the aftermath to a "demolition site".
One person told Manchester Evening News: "I was in my house when I felt the street shake. I don’t even know what happened - it just sort of happened.” Another local commented: "I went and looked out my bedroom window and could see loads of smoke coming from the house."
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A third person told DerbyshireLive: "That explains the awful bang this morning, it shook our road. I hope everyone is ok. Absolute respect for the extremely quick response of the emergency services.”
It was confirmed this afternoon that a man had been taken by air ambulance to Northern General Hospital in Sheffield following an explosion at a bungalow in New Mills, Derbyshire. His current condition has not yet been confirmed.
A total of 39 residents are now known to have been evacuated following the blast, with a small number potentially spending tonight away from home as authorities work to confirm whether there is any remaining gas residue. The incident is not being treated as suspicious, and local MP Robert Largan said he had heard reports it was "gas explosion".
Officers from Derbyshire Constabulary have joined firefighters in their response to the explosion today, with their efforts expected to continue long into the evening.
A spokesperson from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service said one injury had been reported (William Lailey / SWNS)
While the majority of the 39 people evacuated following the blast today will be allowed to return home this evening, Derbyshire Police's Inspector Anna Woodhouse said some residents will not be able to.
She added that all homes will need to be checked for gas residue.
Fire and police services have described their presence at the scene today as 'significant', and confirmed they will be conducting a joint investigation into the cause of the explosion.
There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances at this time, reports the MEN.
It has been confirmed at the press conference that one man was airlifted to hospital following this morning's explosion, though no further information has been given on his condition.
Nathan Stevens, from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue, said in a press conference that there was a 'significant incident' in New Mills this morning.
Police meanwhile confirmed that 39 residents had been evcauated from the area as a precation, and that most of them should be able to return home by this evening.
Pictures from the scene in New Mills, Derbyshire show a partially collapsed roof following the explosion, which was reported around 8am this morning.
One person has been taken to hospital by air ambulance, though their condition is not known.
Damage to the roof following the house explosion (Manchester Evening News)
A local resident has told an MEN reporter that the house damaged in the explosion 'looked like it had been lifted off and plonked back down again'.
The incident commander will be giving a press conference soon to provide updates on the New Mills incident.
Neighbours have told the Manchester Evening News that explosion 'just missed' children walking past on their way to school this morning, as one commented: "It could’ve been a lot worse."
More from on the ground in New Mills, where a large emergency services presence was still seen at noon on the road where the explosion occued.
Members of emergency services expected to remain at scene for the rest of the day, with one person currently reported to be in hospital as a result of the blast.
This is how the scene currently looks here in New Mills. The MEN understands emergency services will remain here for much of the day. @MENnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/iqR1ch8MGM
— Nicole Wootton-Cane (@nicole_wc) November 14, 2023
A neighbour on the street where the house exploded has told Manchester Evening News that he was awoken this morning by a "huge bang", before seeing a large amount of smoke rising from the property.
One neighbour has told a local reporter that they felt the street shake when the nearby house exploded in New Mills this morning.
One neighbour, who lives near the affected property, said he felt the street shake at around 8:30am. He says a number of neighbours then rushed out their homes to help. @MENnewsdesk
— Nicole Wootton-Cane (@nicole_wc) November 14, 2023
Fire crews, police, ambulance, gas board officers and members of the local emergency control team are now involved in the response to the explosion, alongside volunteers.
New Mills and Hayfield councillor Anne Clarke said she was "reassured that everything possible is being done to support" people who have been sent to the local evacuation centre.
One person has been taken from New Mills to Sheffield in an air ambulance following the explosion.
A spokesperson from East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We received a call at 8.10am today, Tuesday 14 November to a private address in New Mills, High Peak. The caller reported a medical emergency.
"We sent a paramedic in an ambulance car, two crewed ambulances and the air ambulance was also in attendance.
"One patient was transported to Sheffield Northern General Hospital via air ambulance."
The spokesperson did not confirm the patient's condition.
Robert Largan, MP for High Peak, wrote on Twitter: "I’m really concerned about reports from New Mills where number of homes have been evacuated. My office are in contact with both Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, High Peak Borough Council & Derbyshire Police."
A spokesperson for Derbyshire Constabulary said the incident response is being led by Derbyshire Fire and Rescue, and that police officers are supporting them.
Derbyshire Police have joined the fire service in urging people to avoid the area around the explosion.
Please avoid the area while emergency services deal with the incident. https://t.co/HXtbPAIZob
— Derbyshire Police (@DerbysPolice) November 14, 2023
Road are shut in both directions in New Mills as a result of the explosion. Ollersett Avenue is closed in between High Hill Road and St Georges Road.
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service have confirmed that an air ambulance is attending the incident in New Mills. The Derbyshire town is close to Greater Manchester and the Peak District.
Represenatives from Cadent, the UK's largest gas distribution network, are at the scene in New Mills assisting Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, reports Derbyshire Live.
