One Man Dies in Suspected Gas Explosion Destroying House and Damaging Neighbors’ Homes, Police Confirm Others Are Unharmed

A man has been found dead after a suspected gas explosion which left a house decimated.

A major incident was declared on Saturday evening when a house in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, exploded after a major ‘gas leak’.

Aerial footage of the home showed the property completely destroyed with a huge amount of debris sprawling onto the street.

Nottinghamshire Police have confirmed this afternoon that the body of a man in his 50s was recovered from the wreckage. 

Emergency services attended to the man but were unable to save him. The male was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Chief inspector Clive Collings of Nottinghamshire Police said: ‘This is an extremely serious incident that has led to a man’s untimely death.

‘The man’s family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. 

‘I have no doubt that this incident will have come as a shock to the community in Worksop.’

Devastating aerial photos show a house struck by a major ‘gas explosion’ in Worksop, Nottinghamshire 

The terraced property was ‘partially destroyed,’ with adjoining homes suffering serious damage

Many residents living on and near the street had to leave their homes while the emergency services and Nottinghamshire County Council officials dealt with the situation.

An investigation is ongoing to establish the cause of the explosion and anyone who may have been in the area at the time is now accounted for.

Inspector Collings added: ‘It is likely that the cordon and road closures will remain in place for some time as we carry out our investigations.

‘I would also like to acknowledge the cooperation of local residents and thank them for their patience.

The police will continue to investigate the incident, and if anyone has any worries, they should approach one of the officers on duty.

It’s illegal to fly a drone over or close to an active emergency operation without authorization, so it’s important for people to avoid doing this.

‘I would also like to thank all partners, including our emergency services colleagues at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and East Midlands Ambulance Service, who have worked throughout the night in response to this incident.’  

The public has been advised to avoid the area with investigations ongoing. 

Residents rushed to the street yesterday evening after hearing a ‘loud’ bang

Images show the ruined house, with people on social media reporting hearing a ‘huge’ bang

Evacuated residents today told of their horror as the terraced home was destroyed, with one saying: ‘There was an almighty bang, the whole street was violently shaking and we feared for our lives.’

Daniel Ilhaba, who was thrown out of bed, said: ‘I ran out as quick as I could. The vibrations were so close it felt like the explosion was inside my house. I was terrified.’

The mature student, 31, reliving his ordeal as he takes refuge at a nearby community centre where he and other family members had to spend the night, said: ‘This was the worst thing I have ever experienced. I thought I was going to die.’

Mr Ilhaba, who lives with his nephew and his partner and their two young children, said: ‘I was the only one at home. Luckily the others were out so I only had myself to think about.’

Nigerian Mr Ilhaba, who fled with no spare clothes nor belongings but just his mobile, said: ‘I was alone at home and had been lying on bed on my phone upstairs when I heard a loud bang, it was an almighty bang and it threw me out of bed.

‘The house was shaking, I was shaking. I’ve been caught in an explosion before, back in Nigeria two years ago when a fuel tanker exploded.

‘I was working nearby and had to run for my life. There were no casualties and it brought back horrible memories.

‘But this was worse as it was so near. I was terrified and thought I was going to die. It was devastating.

‘I picked myself up and somehow still had my phone in my hand and I ran outside.’

Local Daniel Ilhaba, who was thrown out of bed, said: ‘I ran out as quick as I could. The vibrations were so close it felt like the explosion was inside my house. I was terrified’ 

The tenant, who is studying project management at the University of Lincoln, continued: ‘The vibrations were so close it felt like the explosion was inside my house.

‘I wondered what had happened. I hear people talking about a lot of fires and gas explosions at homes in the UK.

‘I ran outside, wearing just trousers and a T-shirt, and down the road as others were coming out too.

‘Then the fire bridge arrived and it was mayhem.’

He only moved into the two-bed privately rented property – just two doors away from the blast home – two months ago which has been severely damaged with windows and doors blown out.

He added: ‘I have not idea if we’ll be able to go back, or when. The house is a mess but at least it is still standing.

‘When I saw the house next door but one which had been flattened I felt sickened.

‘I know someone lives there but do not know him and just hoped and prayed he was not at home.’

The nearby Crown Place Community Centre was opened as a place of safety for residents. 

Residents living nearby recalled hearing a loud ‘bang’ on Saturday evening – presumably when the house exploded.

Mr Ilhaba, who fled with no spare clothes nor belongings but just his mobile, said: ‘I was alone at home and had been lying on bed on my phone upstairs when I heard a loud bang, it was an almighty bang and it threw me out of bed’ 

On X, formerly Twitter, one person asked at around 8pm: ‘Did anyone else hear a loud bang /explosion sound in Worksop North Nottingham around 30 minutes ago?’

A Facebook user posted at about 8.10pm: ‘I was driving back from Mass this evening, just turned into Gladstone Street from Gateford Road, when there was a terrific bang, like a very loud firework! I thought the back end had blown off my car.

‘A house in John Street has had, presumably, a gas explosion!’

Karolina Ciolko, who lives nearby, told the BBC: ‘I was lying in bed when I heard an explosion.

‘I quickly looked out the window. I saw smoke and the car in front of me rocked, and the alarm went off. We quickly ran out of the house to see what had happened.’

Anyone who has any additional information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 612 of April 12, 2025.