House destroyed in huge gas explosion and street evacuated

Residents have been evacuated from the street (Picture: Terry Blackburn/TEBL)

A gas explosion has destroyed a terraced house in Willington, County Durham.

Pictures show the roof entirely blown off the redbrick building along with the upper level walls and much of its floors after the blast around 2am today.

Windows are hanging in their frames, the front door has landed on the pavement opposite, while a back door lies in a neighbour’s garden.

Bricks are scattered in the front and back yards with an assortment of other debris.

The scorched interior walls of the property can be seen through missing walls (Picture:Terry Blackburn/TEBL)

Debris is scattered along the street and back gardens (Picture:Terry Blackburn/TEBL)

To the rear of the house is a greenspace just a few metres from a primary school on the northern edge of the town.

Neighbouring properties along the terrace appear largely unscathed, but the street’s residents have been evacuated, The Northern Echo reported.

Police and firefighters are on the scene and roads around Coronation Terrace have been closed.

A cordon is in place on the street, which is sealed off by blue and white police tape.

It is not yet clear whether the fire has been fully extinguished. Pictures show smoke still rising from the building.

Gas board workers are believed to be on site.

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