Swansea explosion: Body recovered from scene of Morriston house blast

South Wales suburb rocked by suspected gas blast which left three in hospital

Firefighters arrive at scene of gas explosion in Swansea

The body of a man has been recovered from the scene of a suspected gas explosion in Swansea, police said.

Emergency services were called at just after 11.20am on Monday to an explosion at an address on the junction of Clydach Road and Field Close in Morriston.

The man had previously been unaccounted for and his family have now been informed, according to South Wales Police.

Emergency responders remain on the scene after being called at 11.20am and local authorities have set up a rest centre for affected residents.

Local councillor Ceri Evans said the residents were “shocked” and felt “in limbo” as they waited to return to their homes, several of which suffered damage in the blast.

Wales & West Utilities, which operates the gas network across Wales and parts of South West England, said it had sent engineers to Morriston to investigate, noting that the cause of the blast was not yet known.

Police said a cordon remains in place and the public should avoid the area. “Clydach Road remains closed and traffic is being diverted,” a spokesperson added.

Key Points

• One missing and three in hospital after Swansea blast
• Gas grid operators searching for cause of explosion
• Blast shook houses miles from Morriston, say locals

[13 March 2023 17:05 · Liam James]

Drone footage shows aftermath of Swansea explosion

Independent TV has drone footage from the scene of the blast in Morriston:

[13 March 2023 17:20 · Liam James]

Around 100 residents evacuated after Swansea blast

Some 100 residents living near the site of a suspected gas explosion in Swansea have been evacuated, a local councillor said.

Ceri Evans, who represents the affected suburb of Morriston on Swansea Council, said residents were “in a bit of limbo” as they waited in a rest centre set up by officials.

“Speaking to residents, they are obviously in a bit of limbo because they are shocked, but they are also uncertain about when they can return to their properties.”

He said: “Shock is the word as it is not something that happens anywhere very often.

“I live about a mile from the property and I knew it had happened because I felt it myself.

“I’m just leaving the community centre we’ve set up for residents at the minute.

“Speaking to residents, they are obviously in a bit of limbo because they are shocked, but they are also uncertain about when they can return to their properties.”

Councillor Evans said some of the residents evacuated were vulnerable and were being assisted by the British Red Cross.

[13 March 2023 18:30 · Liam James]

Brian Davies named locally as one of men affectd by Swansea blast

One of the people affected in the Swansea explosion has been named locally as Brian Davies.

Police said one person was missing and three people were taken to hospital after the suspected explosion destroyed two houses and damaged several others in the Morriston area.

Andy Williams, who has lived on the street for 25 years, said his house had been badly damaged in the explosion.

“My house is damaged but I don’t really care about that, I’m just glad my neighbours got out,” he said.

Mr Williams said he knew Mr Davies well and that he had lived on the street for around two years.

Becoming emotional, Mr Williams said: “He’s only lived here for a couple of years but I knew him well.

“He’s just a nice guy, a lovely guy, he’s always outside chatting. He’s an angel and I just hope to god he’s alright.”

Police said two houses were severely damaged by the blast (PA)

[13 March 2023 19:15 · Liam James]

Update: One missing and three in hospital as huge blast tears through homes

A huge explosion which rocked homes miles from the site of the blast has left two houses in ruins, with one person missing and three hospitalised (Andy Gregory writes).

A major incident has been declared and the Red Cross deployed to the scene of the suspected gas explosion in Swansea, with a neighbour said to have rescued a teenage boy and his mother from the rubble.

Debris was witnessed exploding into the street and striking the flats opposite on the junction of Clydach Road and Field Close in the Morriston area at 11.20am, with a number of properties said by South Wales Police to have been damaged in the blast.

Emergency services and engineers are working to make the area safe and locate the missing individual, and a police officer who refused to let residents past a newly-established cordon warned: “We’re still not out of the woods with the gas. We’re not safe from another explosion.”

As many as 120 residents in 30 properties have been evacuated, and an emergency centre for residents has been set up in the nearby Morriston Memorial Hall, with many gathering in the Red Lion pub.