Off duty fireman attends Alfreton house explosion

An explosion occurred at a property in Riddings.

An off duty fireman said he entered an Alfreton home after an explosion at the property.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of a house blaze in Valley View Road, Riddings, at 7.30am this morning (Sunday).

Off duty fireman Paul Archer, of Oakland Crescent, just metres from the property, said: “I was in bed this morning when I heard a loud crashing noise. I think it must have been when an explosion pushed the bricks out.”

Paul said he and wife Jane went outside and he entered the property.

An explosion occurred at a properrty in Riddings

Jane continued, as Paul was summoned by a fire officer mid interview: “The lady who lives next door used her key to let Paul in. He went upstairs but said both the bedrooms were blown out.”

The people who lived at the property were named locally as Simon and Shelley.

Jane said: “We are not sure if the couple were in at the time. Nobody tried to escape and we haven’t been told anything else.”

A cordon remains in place around the property.