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Man injured after suspected Darlington gas blast Man injured in suspected Darlington gas blast was 'on fire'
(about 4 hours later)
A man has been left with life-threatening injuries after a suspected gas explosion sparked a "serious" house fire in Darlington. Witnesses have told how a man seriously injured in a suspected gas explosion at a house in Darlington, screamed that he was "on fire".
The semi-detached property in the town's Wordsworth Road suffered extensive damage in the incident on Monday evening. The man, who has not been named, suffered life-threatening injuries in a blaze at the semi-detached property in Wordsworth Road on Monday evening.
Durham Police said a "large explosion" had been reported in the area.Durham Police said a "large explosion" had been reported in the area.
A force spokesman said neighbouring properties had been evacuated as a precaution. The man was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, where he remains in a critical condition.
A joint police and fire service investigation is under way to establish the exact cause of the fire. Neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution and a joint police and fire service investigation is under way.
A force spokesman said: "Officers attended what is thought to be a gas explosion at a property on Wordsworth Road. One eyewitness told BBC Tees: "I pulled up last night from work, got out of the car and noticed the roof had exploded.
"Police, fire and ambulance personnel are all at the scene. "Me and a friend up the road rushed to the scene. At that point we realised the lad was in the back garden. He was partially on fire. My friend went over to his aid.
"We went through the front windows to make sure no-one was in.
"People had seen him in the back screaming and shouting he was on fire. We did what we could at that point and told emergency services."
Another witness told how she heard a "big boom" and saw the street "light up". She said she called for the fire brigade and ambulance service after being told the man was on fire.
A spokesman for Durham Police said: "Officers attended what is thought to be a gas explosion at a property on Wordsworth Road.
"One man has been taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with life-threatening injuries.""One man has been taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with life-threatening injuries."
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Darlington and Newton Aycliffe tackled the blaze.County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Darlington and Newton Aycliffe tackled the blaze.
Surrounding roads have been closed. Surrounding roads remain closed as gas engineers carry out their own investigation.