Birmingham house explosion: residents tell of fear as blast hit Kingstanding street

A house explosion brought tragedy and fear to Dulwich Road in Kingstanding - killing one woman, leaving a man fighting for his life and other residents in fear of for their familes.

One property was destroyed and others damaged along with vehicles amid the blaze. Twenty-five firefighters rushed to the scene as soon as they were alerted at 8.38pm on, with support from police and ambulance colleagues.

Kashif Mahmoud, who was present when the blast took place, said: “It was really, really shocking and scary. I could say, like, it was the worst experience of my life. Especially when you have your kids and wife with you as well.”

There were reports that the blast - which West Midlands Fire Service said was likely to be a gas explosion was heard up to two miles away. Emergency services teams worked with Cadent Gas and National Grid to manage the incident.

Local residents watched helplessly as flames engulfed the house where the explosion took place, with some clambering through the flames to reach a man inside. Authorities have confirmed that a woman has sadly died following the explosion, with the man who escaped the fire taken to the major trauma centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

He is said to have suffered what West Midlands Ambulance Service called “very significant injuries” and was placed in critical care. Four other men suffered minor injuries and were since discharged by paramedics.

Kelly Momaghan, Chief Inspector of West Midlands Police said: “As a police service, we’re working to support the Fire Service in their investigation to establish the cause of the explosion. Obviously it’s a very sad and tragic set of circumstances.”

“I’d just like to say a huge thank you. There was some really heroic actions from members of the community last night. And I’d just like to say thank you to the community for their ongoing support.”

Three other homes were damaged by the blast and evacuations of local properties followed, with roads in the area having been blocked off from public access. West Midlands Police says that roads are expected to remain closed for the foreseeable future.

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