A man is fighting for his life in hospital after a horrific house explosion in Middlesbrough. 

Police, ambulance, and fire crews raced to Kirkland Walk, in Park End, on Tuesday afternoon after a sudden blast decimated a semi-detached house. 

The explosion sent plumes of debris, made up of house materials, insulation, and debris, flying up into the air - with pictures from the aftermath showing the devastating trail of destruction left behind across the street. 

A 57-year-old man was seriously injured during the incident, and was flown to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle by ambulance crews with serious burn injuries. 

The aftermath of the explosion (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Cleveland Police has today (Wednesday, June 19) confirmed that he remains fighting for his life in hospital in a critical condition. 

The reason behind the explosion is not currently known - with police saying it is working with Middlesbrough Council, Cleveland Fire Brigade, Northern Power Grid, and other local partners to "establish the full circumstances." 

Twelve nearby homes were affected by the explosion, with residents on both Kirkland Walk and nearby Errington Avenue being forced to evacuate. 

Emergency services remain at the scene, including a Cleveland Fire Brigade welfare unit and several PCSO officers. 

The scene of the explosion also remains cordoned off today due to the structural danger the damaged building poses, the force said. 

Shocked residents recalled how “every window and door in the house shook” as they spoke to The Northern Echo from behind the massive police cordon on Tuesday. 

Several heroic neighbours and passersby heroically darted to help the injured man at the scene - including Kayfee Hameed, who ran towards the building after hearing a cry for help and carried out the man, and Nicola Hill, 46, who placed wet towels on the victim.

Kayfee Hameed (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO / TERRY BLACKBURN)

Mr Hameed told The Echo: “He continued: "So I ran inside and put the man on my shoulder and took him out. There was only him in the house.

“I checked inside the house and next door - I ran inside the next-door house and went upstairs and checked everywhere. It was smoky and it was scary." 

The North East Ambulance Service confirmed at the time that it sent a duty officer, a clinical team leader, two emergency ambulance crews, a rapid response paramedic, a doctor, four Hazardous Area Response Teams and the air ambulance to the scene. 

A new statement from the force said: “Officers investigating the house explosion in Kirkland Walk, Middlesbrough, are today continuing their enquiries into the incident.

"The scene of the explosion remains cordoned off due to the structural danger the damaged building poses.

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"Cleveland Police are working closely with Middlesbrough Council, Cleveland Fire Brigade, Northern Power Grid, and other local partners, to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and make sure those affected by the incident are receiving the necessary support.

"The 57-year-old man who was seriously injured in the incident is in hospital in a critical condition.

"Anyone who saw the explosion, or who has any CCTV, Doorbell, or phone footage of the incident, is asked to contact police via 101, quoting reference number 113998."