Farnworth explosion: Police evacuate homes after two people injured in Bolton blast

Man in 70s taken to hospital in serious condition after elderly pair suffer burns

The windows of the house were blown off the in the blast (Manchester Evening News)

Two elderly people have suffered burns in a suspected gas explosion in Bolton.

Several homes were evacuated after emergency services were called to the blast in the town of Farnworth on Sunday afternoon.

A man in his 70s was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

A North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) spokesman said: “Two elderly patients who have sustained burns have been treated by our clinicians and taken by ambulance to Wythenshaw Hospital. One of the patients, a man in his 70s, is in a serious condition.”

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said they were called at 2.40pm. A cordon has been put in place and a number of houses in the road have been evacuated as “a matter of precaution”.

A spokesman said firefighters arrived to find two people had been able to get themselves from the house. Crews used breathing apparatus and a gas monitor to survey the area and ensure it was safe.

Two ambulances, a hazardous area response team, and an air ambulance were also sent to the street.

Pictures of the house showed its windows blown out following the blast.

A neighbour said the explosion “sounded like a bomb going off”.

Ashley Chalke, 29, told the Manchester Evening News: “I thought, ‘What the hell was that?’ and when I looked out I saw smoke coming from the house at the end of the road.

“We knocked on the door and managed to get the man out. Then we shouted for the woman and got her out of the house too. I tried to turn the gas main off but couldn’t do it. The smell of the gas was overpowering.”

Gas distributor Cadent, which is responsible for supply in the area, said in a statement: “Engineers are on site supporting the emergency services. The cause of the incident is not known and is being investigated.”