Multiple casualties feared following horrific Birmingham house explosion

A house in the Kingstanding area of Birmingham has exploded with authorities fearing multiple causalities in the blast. 

Fire crews and medical teams are currently attending to the emergency which erupted just after 8:30pm on Sunday in Dulwich Road.

Police are also currently at the scene and evacuating nearby residents in case of any further blasts.

A police spokesperson stated that there are multiple casualties but “the number and severity of their injuries is unknown at this time”.

Fire and ambulance teams continue to work side-by-side at the scene. Three ambulances, five paramedic officers, a MERIT trauma doctor and a critical care paramedic, a WM care team, a hazardous area response team, and six fire crews are at the scene.

The area around the tragedy has been cordoned off to traffic and people are being asked to avoid the location for the time being as emergency crews assess the situation.

The blast from the house in Kingstanding could be heard as far away as Sutton Coldfied on Sunday night.

West Midlands Police were alerted to the tragedy at 8:38pm on Sunday and the force released a statement about the incident saying: “One house is destroyed with others significantly damaged. Cars have also been damaged.

“Evacuations are taking place. Those evacuated will be told where to meet. People in the area must immediately follow the instructions of first responders.

“Dulwich Road and surrounding roads are closed and will be for a very long time. Please help us by avoiding the area.

“The cause of the explosion is not yet known.”

Police also thanked people who had “helped shocked and injured neighbours”.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service, said: “The explosion, the cause of which is unknown at this time, has destroyed one property and caused damage to other properties and vehicles nearby.

“The number of casualties or injuries is not confirmed at this time. We are working hard with colleagues from West Midlands Police, West Midlands Ambulance, Cadent Gas and National Grid to manage this incident.”

Rick Payne, a city councillor for the ward, was watching television when he heard a “massive explosion” just after 8:30pm, and when he went over to Dulwich Road he saw with his own eyes the seriousness of the blast which he described as an “absolute shocker”.

Speaking about the shocking blast, Mr Payne said: “I recognised that as probably most likely to be a gas explosion.

“The police are just saying that there’s quite a lot of houses damaged as a result – probably up to five or six houses.

“The house itself, where the explosion occurred, has physically been destroyed. Houses either side have, partially.

“Then the houses further along the street have been damaged collaterally from the blast.”