Two men suffered burns in a suspected gas explosion at a house in Birmingham today (Tue).
Emergency crews including two ambulances, three paramedics, a trauma doctor and an air ambulance raced to the scene at 9.42am.
Two men were found at the house in Station Road in Acocks Green with burns and were rushed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
West Midlands Police cordoned off the area while residents reported seeing 20 police cars and ambulances dashing to the scene.
The force of the blast ripped through the house and neighbouring properties were evacuated in case they collapsed.
Terrified residents reported hearing a “loud bang” at the time of the blast.
One said: “I’m on nights so I was asleep when I was woken up by a loud bang.
“It was really loud. I looked out the window and within minutes there were police cars and ambulances flying everywhere.
“I heard from a resident that they smelled gas coming from the property in the last day or two. I’m just glad no one was seriously hurt.”
Another local said: “It’s pretty scary.
“My friend lives at the other end of the road and he said he heard the explosion and heard alarms and sirens going.”
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews discovered two patients, both men.
“One of the men was treated for potentially serious injuries, but not believed to be life-threatening, before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham by land ambulance.
“The second man was treated for injuries not believed to be serious before being taken to the same hospital, also by land ambulance.”
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said: "Two men had left the building prior to our arrival and received treatment from fire crews and paramedics for burns.
"They have been taken to hospital for further treatment. All other people were accounted for and there were no other injuries reported.
"Several neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution but residents have since been allowed to return to their homes.
“Fire Investigation Officers are now in attendance."
