by David Osele
2 November 2010
Up to ten people have suffered injury in a suspected gas explosion in Salford, Greater Manchester, this morning.
One house was completely destroyed in the accident, which happened in Irlam at about 7am.
A 76 year old woman has been taken to hospital with 30% burns, reports the BBC, while five other ‘walking wounded,’ including children have been taken to Salford Royal Hospital.
Although there has as yet been no official confirmation of what caused the explosion, witnesses have reported a ‘strong smell of gas in the air’ and a National Grid spokeswoman said that the gas supply had indeed been cut for the area.
She said, "Explosions like this are rare but, yes, we have dealt with them. And, you know, we are gas emergency professionals and this is what we are trained to be able to deal with."
Many homes in the area have been evacuated, with a number of residents being sent to Fiddlers Lane Community Primary School, which has been closed to pupils.