‘Extensive’ tests carried out at the scene of reported gas explosion at Sunderland property

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service were called at 4.30pm on Saturday, January 18 to reports of a gas explosion and building collapse on Ravensworth, Ryhope.

The call prompted a major incident response from its crews, with three appliances attending the scene.

Northumbria Police and the North East Ambulance Service were also dispatched to the incident and one person was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

Police confirmed that just one residential property was affected.

On Saturday evening, TWFRS station manager, Steve Thomas said the building was “structurally safe” and that the incident appeared to have been caused by “gas build-up” inside the property.

Now Northern Gas Networks engineers say they have carried out “extensive” tests at the property and found the gas mains to be working “as it should”.

A spokesperson for Northern Gas Networks confirmed that its emergency engineers were dispatched immediately after being alerted to a report of an explosion on Ravensworth, in the Ryhope area of Sunderland, by the fire service at 4.47pm on Saturday.

She said: “Having carried out extensive tests we found the local gas mains network to be sound and working as it should. What happened was not linked to the gas mains network.”

Elizabeth Eccles, who has lived in the street for 20 years, was at home at 4.30pm when she heard a “rumble” and learned of what had happened.

“A delivery man who was at the door said the wall had come down,” she said.

“We did not smell any gas or anything like that and there was no explosion. We just heard a rumble.

“There does not seem to be any damage to us at all.”

Northern Gas Networks urged anyone who thinks they can smell gas, any time, any place, to call the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 and an emergency engineer will be sent immediately to check the area and make it safe.