SHOCKING drone footage has emerged showing the scale of a 'gas explosion' which destroyed a North East home earlier this week.
The house on Whickham Street in Roker, Sunderland, was left severely damaged after the blast just before 4pm on Tuesday (February 15).
Read more: 'A huge gap': Work begins to demolish affected North East flats after gas explosion
Two people were taken to hospital with blast injuries following the explosion as Northumbria Police yesterday confirmed one man's condition had deteriorated and was critical but stable.
Firefighters have now confirmed the occupant of the first floor flat was still inside the building upon their arrival. He is still in a critical but stable condition in hospital.
Today (February 17), the home - which is two flats - looked largely demolished as the entire first floor and roof had been reduced to a pile of rubble.
This drone footage, released by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, shows the scale of the explosion.
Today (Thursday) TWFRS Deputy Chief Fire Officer Peter Heath praised the response of the crews and of the Fire Control staff who dispatched them.
He said: “You only have to look at the damage caused to the property to know that it is very fortunate only two people have been injured.
Read more: Sunderland explosion: Neighbour fears Gentoo flats could be demolished
“Everyone at TWFRS wishes them a speedy recovery and I am glad our crews were able to be on scene so quickly to offer them immediate medical assistance with our partners to make the incident safe.
“That emergency response starts with our Fire Control team who received the initial 999 calls and dispatched the crews in the best position to respond. That crew was then on scene in just five minutes.
Read more: Man injured in suspected gas explosion now in critical but stable condition
“Upon our arrival our crews immediately identified that an occupant of the property on question was unaccounted for and they carried out a search of the wreckage.
“Just last week we revealed how we unveiled a state-of-the-art training facility that simulates a collapsed building for our search and rescue teams to train on.
“An incident of this nature shows the importance of that training and ensures our crews are among the best in the country when responding to an incident of this type.
“I also want to thank our key partners for their role in the emergency response and to the members of the public in the area who heeded our advice and have shown great patience during a time when their lives have been disrupted.”
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