A MAN is being treated in hospital after suffering serious burns in an explosion in his house.
The 36-year-old was taken to the James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough then later transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle following the fire.
It started in the semi-detached house in Dawson Road, Wingate, at 8.15am today, when the explosion happened in the bedroom.
The blow out has left the home with damaged windows and brickwork, with neighbouring properties evacuated in the aftermath of the fire until firefighters established there was no further risk.
The man’s mother, who was also in the house at the time, went with her son to hospital, but it is not thought she had any injuries.
A joint investigation involving Durham Constabulary and Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service is being carried out to find out the cause of the explosion, but police have said it does not appear to be suspicious.
Firefighters from Peterlee and a crew from Wheatley Hill dealt with the fire.