A YATE resident has told of the dramatic moment when she and a fellow neighbour rescued a woman from her badly-damaged and burning home after a devastating explosion.
Three people were taken to hospital and a fourth treated by paramedics at the scene of the explosion in Lancaster Road, which destroyed one house and badly damaged two others.
It is believed to have been caused by a gas leak.
The explosion happened at around 6.50am on April 29, as many residents were still in bed.
Caralyn Jones, who lives in nearby Warren Way with her parents, told the Voice how she and another neighbour, Luke Wood, ran out to help rescue a woman from one of the homes.
‘Massive boom’
She said: “I felt a massive boom, the house shook, and the partition doors were shaking violently.
“Everything went still; then there was roof debris flying in the air.
“There was a guy in a blue shirt and suit who said there was a lady in the house next door to the one that burnt down. We started grabbing the debris off the floor and smashing the window.
“The guy got some wadding to put over the glass.
‘There was smoke everywhere’
“I climbed in – there was smoke everywhere.
“I looked and ran upstairs. There were four doors and all were shut. Luckily, the first door I tried opened. Fire and smoke were filling the room – and there was a huge gap in the wall.
“A lady was laid down in bed, covered in debris – I didn’t think she was alive at that time.
“Luke also then appeared in the bedroom. He got her arms and I got her legs.
“We couldn’t get past the chair lift, but somehow managed to get her over the top of it. Luke fell downstairs with her on top of him.
“But we got to the front door, then couldn’t find any keys. I could hear people shouting ‘get out, get out’.
“By chance I saw the key on the floor.
“As I opened the door, the lady said ‘My dog, my dog’. I ran back in, looked, but couldn’t see a dog.
“People were shouting to get out. I ran out behind Luke and we took the lady to a grass verge where she was treated for smoke inhalation.”
‘Still a bit shaky’
Caralyn went home covered in blood, small burns, bruises and fragments of glass, and was checked over by a paramedic. She said she believed Luke, who was “absolutely amazing,” was taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation
Caralyn said she was “still a bit shaky, and a bit black and blue, with massive bruises on my legs” the following day.
She said: “I can’t believe it happened. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”
Community steps up
In the aftermath residents and businesses stepped forward to help all those who had been evacuated by police and firefighters as they dealt with the fire and leaking gas.
The nearby Farmhouse pub and Ladden View care home opened their doors to offer shelter and refreshments after residents were evacuated, while the Portcullis in Chipping Sodbury offered free rooms for those in need.
Matt Miller, who lives nearby with his wife and two daughters, aged ten and seven, said: “We live at the end of the street, about eight houses up from the explosion, and not only heard the explosion but felt it.
“I rushed out of the house to see what was going on, only to see the middle of the row of five terraced houses with a huge hole in it, and then it started to go up in flames.
“I checked in on my friend’s parents who live on the terraced row. They seemed fine, just heavily shook up.
“We were evacuated at 7.30am to The Farmhouse, who were amazing, and came back home at 5pm.”
Matt said his friend’s parents are unable to return to their home, as it is structurally unsafe.
Ladden View care home offered free refreshments and space in its cafe for those who were evacuated.
Customer relations manager Daniel Glover-Winfield said: “Our immediate reaction was to help those impacted by the explosion in any way we could.”
Online fundraiser
People have also been supporting an online fundraiser for the couple whose home was destroyed.
The Gofundme site was set up by one of their grandchildren, Storm Boulton, and had raised £3,650 by May 6.
Writing on the fundraising page, she said: “My Nan and Grandad’s lifelong home was destroyed in a gas explosion. They’ve lost everything they’ve ever owned, and it’s absolutely devastating.
“We’re reaching out to ask for any support no matter how small to help them replace essential items and begin to rebuild.
“Thankfully, Jane, Paul, and their dog Poppy made it out. They’ve suffered some burns and are in shock, but we’re incredibly grateful they’re alive.
“A huge thank you to the firefighters who responded so quickly and bravely, and to everyone who’s already offered help and kindness today. It means the world.”
The fundraising page can be found here.
Avon Fire and Rescue Service sent nine appliances to the scene of the explosion and although the fire was quickly put out, they remained at the scene for more than 13 hours as the gas supply and structures were made safe.
Station manager Chris Bengey said the people inside the house that was destroyed were “very lucky” to be alive.
The cause of the fire is under investigation but it is suspected to have been started by an explosion of leaking gas.