House explosion leaves man critically injured

A man is fighting for his life in hospital following a house explosion in Manchester.

Fire crews and police were called to Ash Street in the Harpurhey area following the blast at about 10:20 BST.

Greater Manchester Police said the man was critically injured and taken to hospital.

Neighbouring properties were evacuated and a woman was also treated for what police said were thought to be minor injuries.

Ash Street and Rochdale Road were closed and people have been urged to avoid the area.

Neighbour Linda Kay, who has lived in the area for 28 years, said she thought a "bomb had gone off".

"I was upstairs. I was supposed to be going on holiday this afternoon so my head was elsewhere," said the 68-year-old.

"I've come down. I've just seen everything here and I thought 'my god what's happening'.

"The ambulance driver came over and said there's been a really, really bad explosion.

"I thought a bomb had gone off.

"I did think it was bomb situation with all the response. It was quite scary."

Georgia, 16, said the explosion "shook the whole house and [there was] a massive bang".

"It sounded like a car went straight through the front window," she said.

"The police told me to exit my house as they didn't know whether it was safe or not."

Phil Hendrick, head of North West operational delivery at gas infrastructure firm Cadent, said it was "too early to confirm a cause".

"We are on site in Ash Street assisting fire and other emergency services, which is routine for an incident of this nature," he said.

"Our job in an incident like this is to ensure everything associated with gas is safe.

"Although it is too early to confirm a cause, there is nothing at this stage to suggest any issues with the local gas network."

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