Man charged with criminal damage after house destroyed by 'gas explosion'

A man has been charged with criminal damage after a house was destroyed overnight in a suspected gas explosion.

The terraced house on Marlborough Avenue in Goole, East Yorkshire, was ripped apart by the blast at about 1am on Sunday.

The property went up in flames and bricks fell on to the tops of cars. A large hole was left in the top of the house. No one was injured in the explosion.

On Sunday evening, Humberside Police said Wayne Vines, 56, from Marlborough Avenue in Goole, had been charged with criminal damage, recklessly endangering life.

The force said he was remanded in custody and is set to appear at Hull Magistrates' Court on Monday morning.

In a statement posted on its Facebook page on Sunday, Humberside Police said: "Officers were called to a property on Marlborough Avenue, Goole, at around 1.10am on Sunday, 22 January, to reports that the gas supply to a property had been tampered with, causing an explosion.

"Emergency services quickly attended and a cordon was put in place to ensure the safety of residents until the incident was brought to a safe conclusion shortly after midday today.

Read more: Railway line closed and trains cancelled after car abandoned on train tracks

"Thankfully no one was injured in the incident."

Detective Constable Andrew Johnson said: “I would like to thank the local community for their patience whilst we dealt with the incident.

"Their understanding is very much appreciated.”

Residents were evacuated after the blast and the road was closed off in both directions.

Resident Nicolescu Sorin: "It's terrible. It happened around 1am. Pieces of the house wall fell over the cars and across the street, including power lines and TV cable.

"It's the first time I've seen something like this. The intervention of the firemen and the police was exceptional."

Humberside Police had said: "The area was cordoned off to allow emergency services to work safely and for the safety of the public. Neighbouring properties have been evacuated as a precaution. Occupants of all neighbouring properties have been accounted for.

"A road closure and police cordon remain in place, and we are asking for people to stay away from the area whilst emergency services deal with the incident."