A man has died after an explosion on Clifton Mount, a residential street in Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
Emergency services were called at about 1.18pm on Tuesday after residents reported hearing a loud bang. Three fire engines from Rotherham and Tankersley attended, along with police officers and other emergency personnel.
The man was found deceased at the scene. South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue are working together to establish the cause of the explosion.
Police said initial enquiries indicated there was no further risk to the wider community. Clifton Mount was temporarily closed while investigations were carried out, but has since reopened.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said crews had made the area safe alongside partner agencies before leaving at 4.08pm. The service said the cause remained under investigation.
Several local people described hearing the blast from some distance away. One resident said it sounded “like a bomb had gone off” while walking through Clifton Park, while another said they heard an explosion from a few streets away.
A man also reported hearing the “massive bang” from more than a kilometre away while he was at a McDonald’s restaurant in Rotherham.
A Tactical Support Group van, eight police cars and scientific support officers were seen at the scene during the afternoon.
Cadent Gas said its role had been to support the emergency services. The company added: “First and foremost, our thoughts go out to the loved ones of the individual who has lost their life in tragic circumstances.”
“Cadent’s role on site has been to support the emergency services as best we possibly can, and we will continue to do that.”
