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Birmingham explosion: Woman found dead and man seriously hurt Birmingham explosion: Woman found dead and man seriously hurt
(32 minutes later)
The explosion destroyed one house and significantly damaged neighbouring homes This video can not be played
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Watch: Drone captures aftermath of explosion, showing completely destroyed house
A woman has been found dead at the scene of a major gas explosion that destroyed a house in Birmingham and damaged others.A woman has been found dead at the scene of a major gas explosion that destroyed a house in Birmingham and damaged others.
"We're very sad to confirm that a woman has been found dead at the scene," West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) said."We're very sad to confirm that a woman has been found dead at the scene," West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) said.
A man also suffered life-threatening injuries in the blast in Dulwich Road, Kingstanding, which happened just after 20:30 BST on Sunday.A man also suffered life-threatening injuries in the blast in Dulwich Road, Kingstanding, which happened just after 20:30 BST on Sunday.
At least three other homes were damaged and properties were evacuated.At least three other homes were damaged and properties were evacuated.
The man was rescued from the house by people at the scene but had suffered "very serious" injuries, the ambulance service said.The man was rescued from the house by people at the scene but had suffered "very serious" injuries, the ambulance service said.
Four other men suffered more minor injuries and were discharged by paramedics.Four other men suffered more minor injuries and were discharged by paramedics.
Investigations at the scene are continuingInvestigations at the scene are continuing
Martin Ward-White, the incident commander for WMFS, told a news conference the woman who died was found "relatively quickly within the property that exploded". Martin Ward-White, the incident commander for WMFS, said the woman who died was found "relatively quickly within the property that exploded".
"It is really sad and tragic, not just for the individuals involved, not just the local community but especially the family and friends of the individuals who have been affected by this," he said. Footage on social media showed flames engulfing the terraced red brick house.
"We continue to thank the local residents for their support and understanding."
Footage on social media showed flames and debris falling from a terraced red brick house.
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Footage on social media shows flames, damage and debris from the terraced house in Kingstanding
"The next steps for the fire service and gas board will be to start the investigation into what caused this explosion," Mr Ward-White said. "We know it is gas but what actually caused that gas explosion."The next steps for the fire service and gas board will be to start the investigation into what caused this explosion," Mr Ward-White said. "We know it is gas but what actually caused that gas explosion.
"This will probably take a substantial amount of time.""This will probably take a substantial amount of time."
Twenty-one people were evacuated and had gone to stay at other houses and hotels provided by Birmingham City Council, he added.
The badly injured man was taken to the city's Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment in its major trauma centre.
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Watch: Fire chief thanks community after "sad and tragic" incident Footage on social media shows flames, damage and debris from the terraced house in Kingstanding
Residents said they had clambered past flaming debris and through rubble to reach the man.Residents said they had clambered past flaming debris and through rubble to reach the man.
"Everyone was watching, the house was on fire, nobody was going in, so we could see a way in - so we went in the house, me and about a dozen others," a man, who did not want to be named, told the PA news agency."Everyone was watching, the house was on fire, nobody was going in, so we could see a way in - so we went in the house, me and about a dozen others," a man, who did not want to be named, told the PA news agency.
He said dust from a loft insulation was burning around them. This video can not be played
"We got him [the injured man] out, he ended up coming out on a mattress," he said. To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
A neighbour who lives six doors away from the explosion said he heard a loud bang and came out to see other residents trying to help. Watch: Fire chief thanks community after "sad and tragic" incident
"[They] managed to pull somebody out of the rubble but as he was getting pulled out he was saying there was somebody left inside but they weren't able to help any further as the flames started to get bigger and bigger," the man said. A neighbour who lives six doors away from the explosion said he heard a loud bang and came out to see efforts to help.
"[They] managed to pull somebody out of the rubble but as he was getting pulled out he was saying there was somebody left inside but they wasn't able to help any further as the flames started to get bigger and bigger," he said.
At the scene
Phil Mackie, BBC Midlands correspondent
It is a scene of devastation today. The blast destroyed one house and has caused severe damage to several others.
Debris is strewn across the street and one car which was upended has now been moved. 
Fire investigators, working alongside specialists from the gas company, have begun sifting through the wreckage as they try to determine what caused the explosion. 
Some residents who were evacuated last night have been allowed to return to their homes this morning to collect any essentials but have been told they may not be allowed to stay in their homes again tonight.
Others simply can't access their properties because the damage is so extensive. 
Cadent, the region's emergency gas service, was also sent to the sceneCadent, the region's emergency gas service, was also sent to the scene
One resident told the BBC she heard a bang before the house and windows shook. Twenty-one people were evacuated and had gone to stay at other houses and hotels provided by the city council.
She said the whole community had been affected. "I didn't sleep last night, it's so sad." Emma Moore, who manages the nearby Kingstanding Inn, said the council asked the pub to take in people who had been evacuated.
Another said of the explosion: "I thought it was a bomb, I thought a bomb had gone off."
A total of 25 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze after the explosion.
Following the blast and fire, which also damaged vehicles, evacuations took place and people were urged to avoid the area.
Emma Moore, who manages the nearby Kingstanding Inn, said the city council asked them to take in nearby people who had been evacuated.
"They were all feeling sad and low, worrying about their belongings. Some people came, they had not got shoes, they only had slippers on their feet," she said."They were all feeling sad and low, worrying about their belongings. Some people came, they had not got shoes, they only had slippers on their feet," she said.
West Midlands Police said Dulwich Road and surrounding roads were closed and would be "for a very long time".West Midlands Police said Dulwich Road and surrounding roads were closed and would be "for a very long time".
The force thanked those who had "helped shocked and injured neighbours".
Several other homes near to the destroyed home sustained significant damage, said police
Birmingham councillor Sharon Thompson said her thoughts were with everyone involved in the "horrific explosion".
Six fire crews, three ambulances, five paramedic officers and a national inter-agency liaison officer were among the resources sent to the scene.
Fire service area commander Steve Ball described the scene as "challenging".
"One house had been completely destroyed and three neighbouring properties had also been quite badly affected," Mr Ball said.
"There are approximately six other houses that have been evacuated and the residents are currently being looked after by the local authority."
The house on Dulwich Road has been completely destroyed
Rick Payne, a city councillor, went to the scene to help after hearing a "massive explosion" while watching television.
He spoke to the authority's chief executive who sent emergency planning staff.
Cadent, the gas emergency service for the West Midlands, said its teams were on site as part of the multi-agency response and added its thoughts were with those affected.Cadent, the gas emergency service for the West Midlands, said its teams were on site as part of the multi-agency response and added its thoughts were with those affected.
Several other homes near to the destroyed home sustained significant damage, said police
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