Sunderland explosion: Neighbour fears Gentoo flats could be demolished

John Ellis, who lives in the upstairs flat next to the now destroyed home, has said residents have been told they may not be able to return.

The 43-year-old has lived on Wickham Street in Roker, Sunderland, for the past five years along with his father, 64-year-old John Waterworth.

Read more: Man injured in suspected gas explosion now in critical but stable condition

Speaking to The Northern Echo today, Mr Ellis described how the pair’s “whole world” is inside the home and that they may be unable to retrieve the entire contents of the flat.

Mr Ellis' home is right next to the destroyed flats Picture: JIM SCOTT

Saying he had only last year cancelled his contents insurance, Mr Ellis feared that should the home be deemed unsafe, the pair would have to "start again from scratch." 

He said: “You go through what’s going to happen next, our whole life is in that flat, our clothing, passports, everything.”

Last night, Mr Ellis and his father were put up in alternative accommodation as the road remained cordoned off and emergency services on the scene.

Read more: What we know so far after North East house destroyed in huge explosion

The block of eight flats, which are largely managed by Gentoo, are understood to be currently undergoing structural checks to determine their overall condition.

However, Mr Ellis said the prospect of Storm Dudley and Eunice coming to the North East in just several hours’ time has led to further concerns.

He said: “We were told this morning that they’re doing a structural survey, there’s a chance we could go into the property tomorrow.

The scene on Wednesday Picture: JIM SCOTT

“But the big worry is the storms on their way, and they could affect the structure of the building.”

'I thought he was dead'

Mr Ellis revealed how he thought his father was dead after forgetting he had started a new job and was out of the home.

He said: "Luckily I wasn’t home, I got a phone call saying that there had been an explosion.

"At the time I thought my dad was in the flat, he normally works nightshift, and I was trying to ring him frantically, when he didn’t answer I thought he was dead.

Read more: Daytime pictures show devastation 24 hours after home destroyed by 'gas' explosion

"I forgot he started a new job on Monday, he had two days induction, he eventually picked up the phone and it was sheer relief, we both rushed down what you can see here.

"I couldn't believe it, we were just devastated."

Gentoo previously said that it is "doing everything" it can to support affected residents, saying that it is providing temporary accommodation.

'The damage is being assessed'

On Wednesday afternoon, Nigel Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at Gentoo, said work was underway to secure the site and that the damage is still being assessed.

“Gentoo was made aware of a major incident at 3:45pm on Tuesday that occurred at two flats on Whickham Street in Roker.

“Reports indicate this may have been a gas explosion, however investigations are continuing. We will continue to work closely with the Health and Safety Executive and Northern Gas Networks as part of this.

“The damage is being assessed and we will know more once the structural engineer has completed their report. We will secure the site as quick as we can once it is safe to do so.

“We have been in contact with all of the residents and offered our support. We have found alternative accommodation for some of the residents, while some others have decided to stay with family members.

“We are clearly concerned for the wellbeing for the two confirmed casualties that have been taken to local hospitals.

"Our thoughts are with the casualties and their families at this difficult time, and we wish them both a full and quick recovery.

“Finally, I would like to thank colleagues from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, Northumbria Police, North East Ambulance Service, Sunderland City Council, Northern Gas Networks, and of my Gentoo colleagues, for their fantastic efforts in responding to the incident so quickly and professionally.” 

Two remain in hospital

In an update this morning, Northumbria Police confirmed two people remained in hospital with blast injuries - with one man's condition deteriorating since being rescued.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the force said: “At 3.45pm yesterday we received a report of a suspected gas explosion at an address on Whickham Street, Sunderland.

“Two men were taken to hospital. One man’s condition has since deteriorated and he is currently in a critical but stable condition.”

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