24 January 2024 , 20:05
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A hero Amazon delivery driver kicked down the front door of a flat to rescue a man after an explosion today.
Diogo Moreira, 24, leapt into action to help the victim after the blast shook the property in Beaumont Leys, Leicester at around 4pm. The driver said the man was screaming in his ground-floor home.
The man was dashed to hospital with serious injuries, thought to be burns to his chest, stomach, arms and forehead. Police continue to investigate the blast, which is not believed to be related to the gas network in the area.
Diogo, who is from Braunstone, Leicestershire, said: "I had been sitting in my van about to make a delivery when the explosion happened. The windows were all blown out of the house - it was very loud.
"I went to help and there was a guy screaming from inside. The outer front door was hanging off its hinges but there was a second door that was still shut and there was a small fire inside the house as well. I kicked that door open and went and found the man sitting on his sofa. I asked him if it was just him in there, and he said it was."
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Emergency services rushed to an explosion in a city suburb this afternoonPeople living on the street, a residential road which connects two areas of the suburb, called Diogo a "hero". One woman, who asked to be called Stacey, told Leicestershire Live: "The explosion had blown glass all over the road. The Amazon driver came out with the man and I could see there was smoke coming from his body. He couldn't really stand up properly and he was moving very slowly."
Further detail on the victim remains scant this evening, though Diogo believes he is in his mid-30s and was "clearly in shock" following the ordeal. The Amazon driver added: "I dragged him out. He was clearly in shock. He seemed to be in his mid-30s or a bit older, and he had a lot of burns over his body.
"He in pain and I could see burns to his belly, chest and arms, and also on his face, near to his hairline. I walked him out to the street and sat him down and someone brought him water."
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police said in a statement: "Officers received a call at 4.07pm today (24 January) following a report of an explosion at a flat in Kelbrook Close.
"A man within the property has sustained serious injuries and is being taken to hospital. Kelbrook Close and a number of surrounding roads remain closed, and some nearby flats have been evacuated as a precaution. Colleagues from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service are also at the scene while enquiries continue."
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service was called to Kelbrook Close at around 4.10pm today to reports of smoke seen coming from a flat and an explosion heard.
A spokesperson said: "There is no cause at the moment but we are going back to investigate tomorrow. An appliance has just left the scene but we will be returning for reinspection for any hotspots."