Doorbell footage has emerged showing the moment a County Durham home exploded, blasting smoke and sparks high into the air.
Emergency services raced to the site of the blast - a terraced house on Coronation Terrace in Willington - at around 1.30am on Monday.
Flames were captured pouring from the home - with images taken this morning (Monday, June 24) showing the devastating aftermath as the decimated home remains open to the elements.
Durham Constabulary confirmed that a man was taken to hospital by paramedics for treatment with serious injuries, although his condition remains unknown.
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Now, new black and white doorbell footage has shown the exact moment the blast tore through the property, lighting up the street as debris is fired through the air.
The footage was provided by photographer Colin Hunter, who runs Neandercol Photography and lives just metres from the home.
The 69-year-old, who has lived on the road for 10 years, captured the flames pouring from the site as emergency services arrived on the scene just minutes later.
Police cordoned off the area while crews tackled the fire - with several nearby residents being forced to evacuate their homes.
While Mr Hunter wasn’t evacuated, he noted that police “wouldn’t let him down the road” this morning due to the impact of the blast.
Shocked residents have since spoken to The Northern Echo about being waken to “claps of thunder” after the explosion left them fearing for their own homes.
Pauline Ford said she heard the explosion before looking out of her back window and hearing shouting in the street.
She explained: “I heard the blast then came down and looked out the back window to hear shouting. We were evacuated and I had to go around to my sons.
“There were quite a few people out on the street too, at the time it seemed like it was quite serious.
“It was really shocking. I thought my house was falling down. It’s just really awful, I feel for the lad who lives there.”
Jake Wilden added: “It woke us up at about half past one. I rushed to make sure my son was okay and saw the fire through the curtains.
“I opened them and there was the flames - they were blue. Dad instincts kicked in and I grabbed my family and took them outside.”
Engineers from Northern Gas Networks (NGN) remain on site at the incident alongside police and fire crews.
A Durham Constabulary spokesperson said: “Officers responded to reports of a house explosion at around 1.30am today (June 24) in Coronation Terrace, Willington.
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“A man sustained serious injuries during the incident and has been taken to hospital by paramedics for treatment.
“A cordon has been put in place around the property while emergency services work at the scene. Nearby residents have been evacuated as a precaution and people are advised to avoid the area.”
Anyone who smells gas or suspects carbon monoxide should call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999. This line is in operation 24/7.
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