Yahoo News County Durham man remains in critical condition after explosion decimates home
A man who was rushed to hospital after his County Durham home was decimated in an explosion last week remains in a critical condition.
The house, on Coronation Terrace in Willington, went up in flames and was reduced to rubble on June 24 following the blast just before 2am.
Blue flames and a colossal fireball were seen by locals who opened their curtains to see the blast inferno as emergency services rushed to the scene to find the home in ruin.
Coronation Terrace, Willington. (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)
Following the incident, Durham Constabulary confirmed that one man was rushed to hospital with “serious injuries” and the street was cordoned off whilst safety tests were carried out.
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added: "We were called to a house explosion in Coronation Terrace, Willington, shortly after 1.30am this morning (24 June).
"We dispatched one ambulance crew, a duty officer and four crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team. We also requested support from Great North Air Ambulance Service.
"One patient has been taken to the RVI for further treatment."
Now, an update from police states the man is still in hospital in a "critical" condition. Police also added that an investigation to determine the cause of the blast is ongoing.
Residents spoke of their shock and horror when they woke to see the explosion unfold.
One local, who wished to be known as David, “saw everything” and captured shocking pictures of the flames as he headed to the scene to help.
Coronation Terrace, Willington. (Image: TERRY BLACKBURN)
He explained: “It was at 1:27am - that’s the time my clocks stopped. I could hear a man shouting and crying for help, a lady was shouting out for help.
“I got dressed and went around and there were two people already standing there. I saw him standing in the rubble with the flames behind him.”
Pauline Ford, who lives on nearby Kensington Terrace, compared the explosion to thunder.
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She explained: “I heard the blast then came down and looked out the back window to hear shouting.
“There were quite a few people out on the street too, at the time it seemed like it was quite serious.”
“It was really shocking. I thought my house was falling down. It’s just really awful, I feel for the lad who lives there.”
