Explosion victim loses his fight for life

JOHN and Hazel Wilson. Hazel was nominated in the Pride of Manchester Awards for nursing John after he had a lung transplant in 2004. Picture courtesy of MEN

A MAN has died following a fire and explosion which destroyed a house in Ashton yesterday.

Three members of the family living at the address had been taken to hospital after the blast devastated their home.

John Wilson, a double lung transplant survivor who uses a stair-lift, was forced to jump from a window in the property after it caught fire.

A neighbour is thought to have brought a mattress to break his fall before he was rushed to hospital.

His wife Hazel was caught by a neighbour when she leapt from the bedroom window, but is reported to have suffered a number of fractures.

The couple's daughter Danielle (22) was forced to jump from the roof before the blast tore the house apart.

John (63) and Hazel (53) were alerted to a fire in their home by a smoke alarm and leapt from their bedroom window as it began to take hold of their terraced property.

Neighbours who had rushed to the help of the family after spotting the fire - some dragging a mattress to help the family jump to safety - were also among ten people who were hurt when the house exploded.

The family were taken to hospital however Mr Wilson, who was diagnosed with emphysema and had a double lung transplant in 2004, died from his injuries last night.

The couple's daughter Leanne, who lives nearby, said she heard the explosion and saw that a house was on fire.

She said: "I thought it was next door, but people came out and told me it was my mum and dads.

"I came out of the house and went over to where they were to see if they were okay, because they managed to get out.

"My mum and dad jumped out of a window and my sister jumped off the roof.

"I was so shocked - they've been there years. They've lost everything, a lot of memories from years ago.

"There are so many things going on. I'm just trying to keep myself together. I've got a lot of friends and family supporting me."

Firefighters remained at the scene throughout the day with crew members using their jets to remove loose debris from the houses severely damaged by the blast. A demolition company has taken off the roof.

Stabilising equipment was used by the fire service due to a potential risk of collapse and a cordon was also put in place.

Station Manager Alan Ashworth, incident commander at the scene, said: "We were called initially to a fire and when crews arrived there were a number of people injured on the floor and it was obvious there had been an explosion in the house. We helped them but they were later treated by paramedics from North West Ambulance Service while we tackled the fire using covering jets.

"We are now aware that there are at least ten casualties. Some are suffering with burns and lacerations."

Investigations into the cause of the incident are due to take place later today.

The gas and electricity supplies were turned off at the house and four neighbouring properties.

Ashton MP Angela Rayner visited the scene yesterday afternoon and expressed her condolences to Mr Wilson's family and friends.

She said: "All agencies are working together to make the area safe and find out what caused this terrible incident.

"I understand that the house and two others on either side of it will have to be demolished.

"The damage caused to the house is horrific. The scene is one of utter devastation. The neighbours showed real community spirit and tremendous bravery to put their own safety at risk to try and help the Wilson family.

"And the people of Ashton are already rallying around to help the family which shows the real strength of local people."

A Crowdfunding page, created by Matt Wilde, has also been set up to help the families affected. To donate visit: https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/curzon-road-explosion-help