A man in his 90s has died following a house explosion in Selston, Nottinghamshire. Emergency services were called to the property on Church Lane at 7:18 pm on Saturday, May 9, after receiving reports of a blast.
Explosion and Fire
The explosion tore through the building, causing a fire that required dozens of firefighters to tackle. Neighbours were advised to keep windows shut as smoke filled the air. Residents from the surrounding area were evacuated while emergency services worked at the scene.
Discovery of the Victim
The body of a man in his 90s was subsequently discovered amongst the wreckage. Despite the best efforts of attending emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police confirmed that his family is being supported by officers.
Ongoing Investigation
A joint police and fire investigation remains ongoing to determine the cause of the explosion. Detective Sergeant Millie Gillett of Nottinghamshire Police stated: "This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts remain with the man's family at this difficult time. There is no indication at this stage of any wider threat to the public, and it's being treated as an isolated incident."
Group Manager Jonathan Holford of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service added: "On behalf of everyone at NFRS, we would like to express our sincere condolences to the man's family, friends and all those affected by this tragic incident. Our crews worked alongside partner agencies throughout the incident, and we would also like to thank local residents for their patience and cooperation."
Road Closures
Road closures were put in place at the junction of Church Lane and Station Road, and Church Lane and Stoney Lane, but have since been lifted. The cause of the explosion remains unexplained at this stage.
