Home destroyed, person seriously injured and neighbours evacuated as explosion destroys semi-detached house

Residents have been allowed to return to their homes after the cordon was reduced. Cleveland Police said one person has been airlifted to hospital with serious injuries following the blast in Kirkland Walk at around 12.40pm on Tuesday (Jun 18).

Police and firefighters had asked people to stay away from the scene of the incident, and a number of homes on nearby streets were evacuated. Residents of Ettington Avenue and Frampton Green were able to return to their homes shortly after 7pm.

The force said it is continuing to investigate the circumstances of the explosion, and work out if there is any structural danger at the site.

A statement from Cleveland Police said: “The roads in the area have now reopened, but the area around the site of the explosion remains cordoned off due to the structural danger posed by the damaged building.

“Cleveland Police Officers will continue to patrol the area overnight, and investigations are ongoing. We would like to thank members of the public for their patience whilst the area was made safe.”

Anyone with information or footage of the incident is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 101.