Cops make arson arrest after man suffers serious injuries in house explosion

24 January 2024 , 22:59

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Police are pictured at the scene of the blast in Leicester (Image: LeicestershireLive/BPM)

A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after another man suffered serious injuries in a house explosion.

Nearby flats were evacuated following the explosion, which happened shortly after 4pm on Wednesday. Police and members of the fire service remained at the scene in Beaumont Leys, Leicester late into the evening while enquiries continue.

Officers from the gas supplier Cadent are also said to be in attendance, while the street and a number of adjoining roads are closed. Leicestershire Police said an investigation had been launched and a 32-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

A 32-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life

An earlier statement from the force said: "A man has been injured following a report of an explosion at a flat in Kelbrook Close. The road and a number of surrounding roads remain closed, and some nearby flats have been evacuated as a precaution. Police and LFRS are at the scene while enquiries continue."

It was also heard how an Amazon delivery driver kicked down the front door of the flat to rescue a man just moments after the explosion. Eyewitness Diogo, who is from Braunstone, Leicestershire, told LeicestershireLIve: "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.

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"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."

Diogo believes the man hurt in the explosion was "clearly in shock" following the ordeal. The delivery driver added: "I dragged him out. He was clearly in shock. 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."

Bradley Jolly