A mother and her 14-year-old son who survived a suspected gas explosion in Swansea which killed a neighbour and destroyed two houses have been released from hospital.
The mother and son were treated in hospital for injuries and shock after the tragedy wrecked their home in Morriston yesterday.
The man who died has been named locally as Brian Davies, in his sixties, but this has not been confirmed by officials.
Mr Davies, who has been described as pleasant and chatty, was reportedly trapped in a house when the blast rocked the street.
Neighbours say at least 20 homes were damaged as the suspected gas blast at a property left the terraced street looking like ‘a warzone’ with debris strewn across the road – as the blast was heard five miles away.
Emergency personnel at the scene after reports of a suspected gas explosion at a property on the junction of Clydach Road and Field Close in Morriston, Swansea
The Health and Safety Executive has been informed about the blast on Monday
An investigation will now get underway to establish the cause of the incident
Sioned Williams, Member of the Senedd for the South Wales West region, said Mr Davies, who moved into the friendly street more than two years ago, has been described locally as ‘very well liked’ and ‘such a friendly person’.
‘He apparently used to sit outside on the step and talk to people in the street. A lot of people knew him and liked him, and are deeply, deeply concerned for him.’
Andy Williams, who has lived on the street for 25 years, said: ‘He’s only lived here for a couple of years but I knew him well. He’s just a nice guy, a lovely guy, he’s always outside chatting.’
Following the suspected gas explosion, the injured mother, who has not yet been named, was found in the house looking for their cat and dog. The dog was discovered but the cat is believed to have died.
One neighbour said: ‘When we got to her, she was hysterical and worried about her cat and dog but we managed to find the puppy in the crate and get it out as well.’
The son came out crying in a grey sweatshirt.
Another man – believed to be injured as he was passing – is being treated in Morriston Hospital, Swansea, for trauma injuries.
A police spokesperson said: ‘A search of the scene discovered the body of a man who was previously unaccounted for. His family has been informed.
‘An investigation will now get underway to establish the cause of the incident. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed.’
‘People were utterly shocked. There were roof tiles raining down, pipes crashing through roofs’
People living nearby reported windows shaking when the explosion rocked the street
A house was destroyed in a huge explosion that was heard more than five miles away
One house was completely destroyed as a result of the blast while the neighbouring property was also partially wrecked
Emergency personnel at the scene after reports of a suspected gas explosion at a property
Three people were taken to hospital yesterday – two have since been released
Fire crews, ambulances and police were called to tackle the blast which wrecked the end of terrace house.
Andrea Lewis, deputy leader of Swansea Council, said more than 20 families were given shelter for the night after their homes were damaged or unsafe.
She said: ‘We have put 21 households into temporary accommodation. The businesses in the local community were feeding people when they were in the welfare centre and everybody really pulled together.
‘They have been amazing considering this terrible incident that they have been through. They kept calm and carried on and they have been incredible.
‘People were utterly shocked. There were roof tiles raining down, pipes crashing through roofs. They were relieved but also deeply concerned and upset about the person who was missing.’
Ms Lewis said Mid and West Fire Service are working to isolate the main gas mains.
‘Once those properties are deemed to be safe, we will do everything we can to move people back home,’ she said.
‘However, we appreciate that some of those properties are too badly damaged so some people might be in temporary accommodation for quite some time, until those properties are safe for them to return.’
