Metal thieves blamed for gas explosion in Liversedge

Fire crews from Cleckheaton and Batley were called out to a former care home in Strawberry Bank at 6.30am after a gas explosion.

Residents were awoken by the blast, which shook windows and scattered debris up to 30ft away.

Resident Lesley Bohanna said: “I was asleep when I heard the blast – it shook my windows – and glass flew over into my garden.”

Another resident of Strawberry Bank, Rachel Hall, said: “I heard an almighty bang this morning while I was asleep – it was the loudest thing I’ve ever heard in my life.

“Myself and other residents on the street went to see what was happening, and we could smell gas.”

The blast is believed to have been caused by scrap metal thieves stealing gas piping which was still active, with eyewitnesses claiming to have seen two men in their mid-20s running away from the scene.

Watch Commander Damian Cameron, who attended the scene, said: “It appears as though persons have entered the property and have stolen piping, which has caused a large gas leak which has been ignited somehow.”

There was no fire in the building following the explosion. A police investigation is ongoing.

Nobody is believed to have been injured in the blast.