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| Newark gas explosion: second body found | Newark gas explosion: second body found |
| (4 months later) | |
| The bodies of a man and a woman believed to have been his daughter-in-law were removed on Monday from the rubble of a terrace house which was the scene of a suspected gas explosion. | The bodies of a man and a woman believed to have been his daughter-in-law were removed on Monday from the rubble of a terrace house which was the scene of a suspected gas explosion. |
| The blast, which devastated a house in Newark, Nottinghamshire, injured four others, including two children. Up to 100 neighbours were evacuated as firefighters were forced to clear debris brick by brick in their rescue attempts. | The blast, which devastated a house in Newark, Nottinghamshire, injured four others, including two children. Up to 100 neighbours were evacuated as firefighters were forced to clear debris brick by brick in their rescue attempts. |
| Nottinghamshire police said they believed Leslie Rourke, 71, and his daughter-in-law Jeanette, 40, died following the explosion shortly after 5pm on Sunday. | Nottinghamshire police said they believed Leslie Rourke, 71, and his daughter-in-law Jeanette, 40, died following the explosion shortly after 5pm on Sunday. |
| Fire crews found Mr Rourke's body buried between the ground floor and the basement of the property while searches in the rubble later revealed the body of a woman. | Fire crews found Mr Rourke's body buried between the ground floor and the basement of the property while searches in the rubble later revealed the body of a woman. |
| A man who police believe to be her husband and Mr Rourke's son, Nicholas Rourke, is in hospital after suffering serious injuries in the blast. | A man who police believe to be her husband and Mr Rourke's son, Nicholas Rourke, is in hospital after suffering serious injuries in the blast. |
| Neighbours helped to rescue a four-month-old girl, a seven-year-old boy and a woman from the next door house. | Neighbours helped to rescue a four-month-old girl, a seven-year-old boy and a woman from the next door house. |
| They were taken to the Queen's medical centre in Nottingham for treatment and were later discharged. | They were taken to the Queen's medical centre in Nottingham for treatment and were later discharged. |
| Katie Graves, 27, who was among those who pulled Nicholas from the rubble, said the blast was "like a sonic boom – like you see in the films where everything just comes together and goes bang. | Katie Graves, 27, who was among those who pulled Nicholas from the rubble, said the blast was "like a sonic boom – like you see in the films where everything just comes together and goes bang. |
| "Everything in the house just jumped and left the floor – the whole house did. It was a noise that wasn't a normal noise". | "Everything in the house just jumped and left the floor – the whole house did. It was a noise that wasn't a normal noise". |
| Audie Cashin, who was one of the first on the scene, said he and others located one man in the rubble and helped to drag him out before going in search of another. | Audie Cashin, who was one of the first on the scene, said he and others located one man in the rubble and helped to drag him out before going in search of another. |
| "He said his dad was in the cellar. | "He said his dad was in the cellar. |
| "I am trying to find his dad. I am kicking the door down. I couldn't find him. Then all I heard was 'get out, get out, the house is on fire' and there was firemen all around," he said. | "I am trying to find his dad. I am kicking the door down. I couldn't find him. Then all I heard was 'get out, get out, the house is on fire' and there was firemen all around," he said. |
| Emergency crews were alerted to the explosion at 5.11pm and fire engines from Tuxford, Newark, Southwell and Collingham attended the scene. The body of a man was recovered late on Sunday and on Monday morning searchers discovered the body of a woman. Police said a controlled demolition would be carried out "as the property is not considered safe". | Emergency crews were alerted to the explosion at 5.11pm and fire engines from Tuxford, Newark, Southwell and Collingham attended the scene. The body of a man was recovered late on Sunday and on Monday morning searchers discovered the body of a woman. Police said a controlled demolition would be carried out "as the property is not considered safe". |
| Cormac Fleming, who lives on the street, told the BBC the house had exploded in front of him and his family as they were walking past, knocking his son off his bicycle. | Cormac Fleming, who lives on the street, told the BBC the house had exploded in front of him and his family as they were walking past, knocking his son off his bicycle. |
| "I then noticed a curtain moving in the house next door. I, and another man, smashed the window and next thing I was being handed a newborn baby," he said. "One house was destroyed and the house next to it was half blown up." | "I then noticed a curtain moving in the house next door. I, and another man, smashed the window and next thing I was being handed a newborn baby," he said. "One house was destroyed and the house next to it was half blown up." |
| Fleming said a five-year-old and his mother, who had cuts, then came out of the property neighbouring the house destroyed in the blast. | Fleming said a five-year-old and his mother, who had cuts, then came out of the property neighbouring the house destroyed in the blast. |
| Residents were asked by police to remain indoors and ensure windows were closed to reduce the effects of dust and any gas fumes. | Residents were asked by police to remain indoors and ensure windows were closed to reduce the effects of dust and any gas fumes. |
| Commending the emergency services and the community for their prompt response, Newark councillor Laurence Gough said: "Newark is a close community and of course people did come out to help. | Commending the emergency services and the community for their prompt response, Newark councillor Laurence Gough said: "Newark is a close community and of course people did come out to help. |
| "The emergency services were called right away and we were just grateful that they were on the scene quickly." | "The emergency services were called right away and we were just grateful that they were on the scene quickly." |
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