Man in hospital with serious burns after explosion at Plymouth flat
A MAN is in hospital with "serious" burns following a horror blast at a city flat.
The 67-year-old was rescued from the smoking property by an heroic neighbour after an electricity cupboard exploded in front of him.
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Police, paramedics and firefighters were sent to Ham Drive following reports of two explosions shortly after 12.30pm yesterday.
Around 100 homes lost power in the aftermath of the incident.
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The blast victim, who fire crews said was the landlord of the ground-floor flat, suffered burns to around 25 per cent of his body.
He was due to be transferred to a specialist burns unit in either Bristol or Swansea, police said last night.
Quick-thinking pensioner Tom Doidge, who was returning from shopping, was first on the scene.
The 71-year-old went into the flat as smoke billowed from the door to lead the injured man out.
Watch Manager Marc Creswell, of Plympton fire station, who was in charge of the incident, said the landlord's clothes had been "burnt off" in the explosion.
He added that two tenants who were in the flat at the time – a man and a woman – were unhurt and had escaped the building.
Two firemen wearing breathing apparatus were sent into the flat to extinguish the flames.
Police closed off a section of Ham Drive until around 4pm.
Western Power Distribution staff were also called to the scene to isolate the electricity supply.
A spokesperson for the company said a total of 94 customers had been taken off the supply.
They added that the company would be investigating the cause of the explosion.
A fire investigation team was also called to the scene to establish its cause.
QUICK-THINKING HERO CAME TO THE RESCUE
HEROIC pensioner Tom Doidge described the chilling moment he stumbled across the unfolding drama.
The 71-year-old, who lives in nearby Merrivale Road, said: “The front door was open and thick acrid smoke was filling the hallway and pouring out, you couldn't see much.
“There was a man very badly burnt standing up and mumbling, so I carefully guided him out into the street and away from the smoke.
“I told him not to panic but I didn't want to touch his body in case it harmed him.
“His arms and hands were very sore. His legs looked badly burnt and his clothes were in tatters.”
Quick-thinking Mr Doidge also alerted the occupants of the flat above to the danger.
Comments
by Nikki123
Sunday, October 07 2012, 11:38PM
“As a family member of this man you read of aka still a human being, I am disgusted at some of these comments i have seen following this article.
Hardielives and Trudie you do realise you CANNOT erase comments such as these made on this story.
I wish as a decent human being you never face this tragedy. I to could have wrote some heartless things to you 2 people, but wish to never lower myself to YOUR level.
My uncle is still seriously ill in hospital, and we wish him a speedy recovery. All I have too say is this is a cruel world we live in.”
by chaz40
Thursday, September 06 2012, 1:10PM
“I am sat reading this in tears and absolutely furious at the first few comments on this post, for the friends and family of the victim to read this is devastating, especially when he is critical in hospital, Not everything you read in the media is correct, please remember this!
To Mr T Doidge, Thank you for helping my DAD, you are a true hero”
by Potbelly1
Thursday, September 06 2012, 12:52PM
“What an awful thing to happen - I hope this man makes a speedy recovery soon - And what a hero this Tom Doidge is! Nice to think there are some good brave caring people around! This accident could have been far worse if it wasn't for him!”
by PL7Mafia
Thursday, September 06 2012, 11:53AM
“It's quite rare for an electricity cupboard to explode. Perhaps some unauthorised 'tampering' was being undertaken?”
by trudie2010
Thursday, September 06 2012, 11:47AM
“I'll follow suit, and wish him well, I was spurred on also by the greedy buy to let a council property type of person. paulmh66 I am not completely heartless, I care about my family and friends and pets!!”
by hardielives
Thursday, September 06 2012, 11:12AM
“I have reconsidered my earlier posting and I regret that I allowed my feelings about former council properties ending up in the hands of private landlords to overide basic humanity. I apologise to the victim and his family and hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.”
by paulmh66
Thursday, September 06 2012, 11:06AM
“Heartless comment there Trudie, truly heartless. Better no one injured as the landlord could of lost his life there and then, and, as with many who are injured this way, he may still lose his life. I hope he gets well soon.”
by trudie2010
Thursday, September 06 2012, 9:20AM
“Better the landlord than a tenant!!!!”
by hardielives
Thursday, September 06 2012, 8:03AM
“Seems the victim was a buy to let landlord of a former council house. What a shame this happened to such an admirable person.”