A mother and her son were seriously injured after a suspected gas explosion occurred at their home on Nelson Avenue, Portsmouth, shortly after 1:40pm on 22 October. Both were rushed immediately to Southampton General Hospital for emergency medical treatment.
More than 20 firefighters from Cosham, Portchester, Southsea, Havant, and Emsworth responded quickly after reports of the explosion. Neighbours evacuated their homes in shock after hearing a loud bang, breaking glass, and seeing thick smoke rising from the front of the property.
A witness described hearing an elderly woman screaming in the street, with her hair “burnt right down to the skin.” The man who came out after her also suffered severe burns to his head.
Smoke plumes from the explosion drifted east across Portsmouth, including over London Road, reducing visibility for drivers. The haze was visible for miles around.
The South Central Ambulance Service deployed their Hazardous Area Response Team along with four ambulance officers, two ambulance crews, and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. The air ambulance landed nearby at Mountbatten Leisure Centre and provided critical life-saving care before transferring the casualties by land ambulance to hospital.
SGN, the gas emergency service, confirmed they arrived at the scene around 2pm to assist emergency teams and help secure the area. Their engineers are working closely with fire crews, Hampshire Police, power companies, and local authorities to ensure safety.
Firefighters remain at the scene dampening the site as a full investigation into the cause of the explosion continues.
Originally published by UKNIP.
