Man dies following explosion which rocked New Mills

A man has died following an explosion at a house in New Mills.

Emergency services were called to Ollersett Avenue just after 8am on Tuesday, November 14, to reports of an explosion.

Seventy-eight-year-old Nigel Barrow suffered life-threatening injuries during the incident and was taken to hospital where he died three days later.

His family are aware and are being supported by police officers.

An investigation is ongoing into the cause of the explosion, however, due to the damage caused to the property this has yet to be completed. A further review of the scene will take place this week.

The explosion resulted in the roof of a house being blown off and resulted in 12 properties in the area surrounding Ollersett Avenue being evacuated by emergency services.

New Mills, Whaley Bridge and Buxton emergency services attended the scene, with residents being asked to evacuate from the area and asked to attend the New Mills Leisure Centre to register that they have been evacuated from the site safely.

One resident said: "My partner works as a window cleaner and was working near the street when he heard a really loud bang explosion, he turned to see smoke and dust everywhere as he felt a shock wave from the explosion, then he saw the emergency services attend." 

Residents from outside the immediate area were asked to avoid the area and to keep all windows and doors shut as a precautionary measure.