Bury house explosion: Families to lose their homes as demolition work begins

A number of families are set to lose their homes as demolition work gets underway at the scene of a house explosion in Bury.

The major blast ripped through a house on Nelson Street in the Fishpool area on Wednesday (February 28). A woman - aged in her 70s - was rushed to hospital in a serious condition.

A joint investigation between the fire service, Cadent Gas, police and Bury Council into what caused the explosion is underway. After the blast, the front of the house involved was left obliterated with its windows left blown out and most of the roof left collapsed.

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Severe damage was also caused to attached homes. Bury Council has confirmed that three properties will be demolished, with work to begin on the scene today. Mushtaq Anwar, who was at home with his wife, his daughter, 21, and son, 17, when the explosion happened, said he is one the residents losing his house.

“I’m absolutely shaken", he said. "We have lived here for 18 years and have a lot of memories. I’m shocked. My children haven’t slept."

The council said most residents who were evacuated at the time of the blast have been allowed to return home. Residents who have not been able to are being supported, the council added.

A Bury Council spokesperson said: “Investigation work has been continuing at the site of the explosion, so we are now arranging for demolition work to take place today. Staff from the various agencies are on site and our health and wellbeing and children’s services are supporting residents.”

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