Person airlifted to hospital after house blast in Middlesbrough
The Great North Air Ambulance attended the scene this lunchtime
Last updated 18th Jun 2024
People are being asked to avoid the area of Kirkland Walk in Middlesbrough this afternoon - after a suspected explosion at a house.
One person has been airlifted to hospital by the Great North Air Ambulance service.
A 57-year-old man has been taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with serious burn injuries.
Cleveland Fire Brigade are asking people to stay away from the scene of the incident, which happened around 12:40pm on Tuesday.
Reports suggest a house had been badly damaged in the explosion.
The Great North Air Ambulance Service said: "Our team activated at 12.46pm to an incident in Middlesbrough.
"We had two doctors and two paramedics respond to the scene and they worked alongside the North East Ambulance Service to assess and treat a patient.
"The patient is being airlifted to hospital."
A Cleveland Police spokesperson urged members of the public to avoid the area while they worked with Cleveland Fire Brigade and North East Ambulance Service at the scene.
"We thank local residents for their patience as we continue to deal with this incident," they said.
Twelve houses were affected by the explosion, and houses in Kirkland Walk and nearby Errington Avenue were evacuated earlier.
The cordon has now been reduced and residents of Ettington Avenue and Frampton Green are now able to return to their homes.
Residents of the affected houses remain evacuated and alternative arrangements are in place.
The roads in the area have now reopened, but the area around the site of the explosion remains cordoned off due to the structural danger posed by the damaged building.
Cleveland Police Officers will continue to patrol the area overnight, and investigations are ongoing.