Swansea blast victim who died in explosion is identified as 68-year-old man – as evacuated residents are still prevented from returning home while work continues to ‘make the gas main safe’
- Brian Davies was reportedly trapped in a house when the blast rocked the street
- At least 21 homes were damaged after the explosion in Morriston, Swansea
The man who died following a suspected gas explosion in Swansea has been identified, police have confirmed.
Brian Davies, 68, died yesterday morning after a large house explosion ripped apart two houses in the Morriston area. Formal identification took place this afternoon.
Mr Davies, who has been described as pleasant and chatty, was trapped in a house when the blast rocked the street, locals allege.
The blast, which left at least three others injured, has forced ‘traumatised’ residents to evacuate their homes. Locals have been prohibited from returning to their residences as work continues to ‘make the gas main safe’.
The man who died following a suspected gas explosion in Swansea has been identified as 68-year-old Brian Davies, South Wales Police confirmed. Pictured today: One of the properties destroyed after a suspected gas explosion in the Morriston area of Swansea
Mr Davies, 68, died yesterday morning after a large house explosion ripped apart two houses in the Morriston area. Formal identification took place this afternoon. Pictured yesterday: Emergency personnel at the scene
The blast, which left at least three others injured, has forced ‘traumatised’ residents to evacuate their homes. Locals have been prohibited from returning to their residences as work continues to ‘make the gas main safe’. Pictured today: Bulldozers clear rubble from the blast
The explosion on Clydach Road happened around 11.20am yesterday, South Wales Police said. An investigation is underway to establish the cause of the devastation.
Detective Inspector Carl Price confirmed Mr Davies’ death today and issued his condolences to his loved ones.
‘Our thoughts remain with Brian’s family and friends, at what is a very difficult time for them, and those who have been injured following the explosion,’ Det Price said.
‘Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the incident, and these enquiries are being carried out in partnership with relevant agencies including the Health and Safety Executive.
‘The patience and understanding of local residents on Clydach Road, and the wider community in Morriston, is very much appreciated while this work remains ongoing.’
It is understood that Mr Davies’ family is being supported by specially trained officers.
Sioned Williams, Member of the Senedd for the South Wales West region, said Mr Davies, who moved into the friendly street more than two years ago, has been described locally as ‘very well liked’ and ‘such a friendly person’.
‘He apparently used to sit outside on the step and talk to people in the street. A lot of people knew him and liked him, and are deeply, deeply concerned for him.’
Andy Williams, who has lived on the street for 25 years, said: ‘He’s only lived here for a couple of years but I knew him well. He’s just a nice guy, a lovely guy, he’s always outside chatting.’
The explosion on Clydach Road happened around 11.20am yesterday. Crews are pictured at the scene after the blast
An investigation will now get underway to establish the cause of the incident
Bulldozers clear the rubble today after properties were destroyed in a suspected gas explosion
A woman, her son and a postal worker were also hurt during the blast and taken to Morriston Hospital.
Neighbours said they aided in the rescue of Ethan Bennett, 14, and his mother Claire. The pair were treated in hospital for injuries and shock after the tragedy wrecked their home yesterday.
Following the suspected gas explosion, injured Claire was found in the house looking for their cat and dog. The dog was discovered but the cat is believed to have died.
One neighbour said: ‘When we got to her, she was hysterical and worried about her cat and dog but we managed to find the puppy in the crate and get it out as well.’
Heroic Swansea blast witness reveals he helped rescue teenage boy and his mother from the rubble after hearing ‘massive bang’: READ MORE HERE
The explosion at an address on the junction of Clydach Road and Field Close left the terraced street looking like ‘a warzone’ with debris strewn across the road
Ethan came out crying in a grey sweatshirt. The father of the boy said his family are lucky to be alive.
Anthony Bennett told BBC Wales: ‘Ethan just remembers the explosion going and him being thrown up against the ceiling. Next thing he knows he seems to be outside.
‘Not sure if he lost consciousness or not. Part of the roof was under him and part of the roof was on top of him.
‘The guy who lives a couple of doors down ran across to check on Claire and then he dragged Ethan out.’
Mr Bennett said the mother was still in hospital with six broken ribs and a ‘nasty gash’ to her head, but Ethan had since been discharged.
‘He [Ethan] is very shook up and mentally he is struggling to cope, but he is alive,’ he added.
The postal worker is understood to have suffered minor burns and wounds to his face while sitting in his van parked opposite the scene.
He is still believed to be in hospital.
Pam Evans, a resident of the street, said: ‘The police are still here and the street is still cordoned off.
‘We’re still being told it’s still not safe here, so that’s very worrying.’
Ms Evans said there was ‘ongoing trauma’ for residents still unable to access their properties to get clothes, medication and in one case their elderly dog.
She said many also remain very concerned about the extent of damage to their homes.
‘People are very distressed and we have vulnerable members of the community here also, so it’s a difficult situation,’ she added.
The force of the blast shook houses several miles from the scene and was felt across the Swansea valley. Neighbours said at least 20 homes were damaged in the explosion (pictured yesterday) which left the terraced street looking like ‘a warzone’
Fire crews, ambulances and police (pictured yesterday) were quickly called to tackle the blast and a major incident was soon declared
A house was destroyed in a huge explosion heard more than five miles away yesterday
The force of the blast shook houses several miles from the scene and was felt across the Swansea valley.
Neighbours said at least 20 homes were damaged in the explosion which left the terraced street looking like ‘a warzone’ with debris strewn across the road.
Fire crews, ambulances and police were quickly called to tackle the blast and a major incident was soon declared.
Around 21 households were in temporary accommodation yesterday night having been evacuated to nearby community centre Morriston Memorial Hall and helped by the British Red Cross.
‘The businesses in the local community were feeding people when they were in the welfare centre and everybody really pulled together,’ Andrea Lewis, deputy leader of Swansea Council, explained.
‘They have been amazing considering this terrible incident that they have been through. They kept calm and carried on and they have been incredible.
Morriston Town Football Club has been collecting donations for those affected by the explosion.
Emergency personnel at the scene after reports of a suspected gas explosion at a property on the junction of Clydach Road and Field Close in Morriston, Swansea
‘People were utterly shocked. There were roof tiles raining down, pipes crashing through roofs’
People living nearby reported windows shaking when the explosion rocked the street
Carolyn Harris, Labour MP for Swansea East, vowed to help those affected ‘get their lives back together’.
Adding: ‘I’ve been able to reassure them that me and my team will do whatever we can to make sure that we will talk to the insurance companies should there be any problem whatsoever.
‘People are still shellshocked and literally bewildered as to what’s happening to them, but they are resilient.’
Ms Lewis said Mid and West Fire Service are working to isolate the main gas mains.
‘Once those properties are deemed to be safe, we will do everything we can to move people back home,’ she added.
‘However, we appreciate that some of those properties are too badly damaged so some people might be in temporary accommodation for quite some time, until those properties are safe for them to return.’
Wales and West Utilities, who maintain the gas network, said they remain at the scene to make sure the area is safe and are ‘carrying out comprehensive checks in the local area to rule out any damage to our network as a result of the explosion’.
Chief operating officer, Rob Long, said: ‘As the gas emergency service, it is our role to make sure the area is safe and support the investigation.
‘The cause of the explosion is not yet known, and we are remaining at the scene to support the emergency services.
‘Due to the extensive nature of the explosion, we are also carrying out comprehensive checks in the local area to rule out any damage to our network as a result of the explosion. These investigations are rigorous and ongoing.
A house was destroyed in a huge explosion that was heard more than five miles away
One house was completely destroyed as a result of the blast while the neighbouring property was also partially wrecked
Emergency personnel at the scene after reports of a suspected gas explosion at a property
Three people were taken to hospital yesterday – two have since been released
Mr Long continued: ‘We understand that there will be speculation as concerns for safety are heightened following an incident such as this, however, we are working hard to conclude our checks so as many residents can return to their homes as soon as possible.
‘We would like to reassure the local community that every safety precaution is being taken.
‘As part of this, we are joined by other utilities in turning off gas and power to the immediate surrounding properties – however, there will be no impact on gas supplies to the wider area.
‘Our thoughts remain with the family of those affected and with the community of Morriston.’
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