The fire service which tackled a deliberately-started gas blast that caused more than £1m-worth of damage has said it was, “a miracle nobody was killed.”

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) was commenting in the wake of the sentencing of Falkands’ War veteran Ian Leneghan, who it emerged caused the blast, intending to take his own life.

The 59-year-old former Royal Navy serviceman and electrician severed the gas hose leading to his cooker, turned up the gas on the appliance and ignited it with his lighter, at 3.45pm on February 15 this year.

It caused a huge blast that not only destroyed his first-floor flat, but that of his downstairs’ neighbour, as well as badly damaging adjacent homes in Whickham Street, Roker, Sunderland.

Read more: Sunderland house explosion: Ian Lenaghan JAILED after house destroyed

Lenaghan was rescued from the loft space of his flat and taken to hospital where he received several weeks of treatment for 80-per cent burns, lung damage and loss of manual dexterity, which still afflicts him now.

Following his release from hospital he was questioned about the incident and denied responsibility, despite a Health and Safety Exectutive (HSE) investigation pinpointing the sabotage of the cooker hose as the likely explanation for the blast

But at a plea hearing at Newcastle Crown Court in May he admitted damaging property being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

He received a five-year prison sentence at the court on Friday, after the judge, Recorder Thomas Moran told him he chose a, “spectacularly reckless” was of trying to take his own life, exposing others to “a great deal of danger”.

TWFRS responded to the incident with 15 vehicles and 40 crew members deployed.

A service statement issued today (Saturday August 20), following Lenaghan’s sentencing, reflected on the response and the incident itself.

“The scene of the disaster was like something from a movie, with an entire building missing from the row of terraced houses.

“Our crews stepped up to the mark that day and acted quickly to rescue casualties, evacuate residents and ensure the area was safe.

“We utilised our Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, who train hard to respond to these exact scenarios.

“That included our USAR dog unit, our fire drone and highly trained and qualified search and rescue specialists.

“It is a miracle that nobody was killed but many family did lose their homes as a result of the explosion.

“Yesterday, the court heard that it was caused by a deliberate act from one of the occupants of the properties.

“He managed to survive that day but yesterday received a five-year prison sentence."

Read more: Judge jailing ex-Royal Navy serviceman said he put neighbours in 'a great deal of danger'

The statement added: “It brings to an end this case but also gives us an opportunity to reflect on how effective our response was that day.

“From our fire control staff, to our firefighters, to our USAR specialists and our incident commanders, we are proud of every single one of you.

“We hope this incident shows you exactly what we already know, some of the most highly trained first responders in the world are right here in Tyne and Wear.”

The court was told building owners, the Wearside-based housing provider gentoo, is yet to decide if it should attempt to salvage and repair the damaged property or whether it would be more realistic to demolish it and rebuild.

Read next:

               Man admits causing gas explosion in Sunderland street

               Man in court charged with explosion in Sunderland

               Suspected gas explosion in Roker area of Sunderland

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