Couple rushed to hospital after gas explosion in Weybourne

A large emergency services presence, including three fire engines and as many police cars, was called to Beck Close in Weybourne after the incident at Lester and Lilly O’Regan’s home in the early hours of Saturday morning.

A neighbour, who was woken up by the blast, said Mr O’Regan had gone downstairs to investigate the smell of gas before switching on the extractor fan in his kitchen, which triggered the explosion. The kitchen cooker fell on top of him, breaking his leg.

The couple were both taken to hospital for their injuries. 

The scene of the gas explosion in Beck Close, Weybourne (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Fire crews from Sheringham, Cromer, Dereham, Norwich’s Carrow Diamond Jubilee Station, and the service's Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR) attended the scene.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service said the explosion caused serious damage to the ground floor of the property and significant damage to the first floor. 

The downstairs windows are boarded up with broken glass shattered outside the front of the house, surrounded by red fire service tape.

The damage the explosion caused to the rear of the property (Image: Sonya Duncan)

“It was about 4.15am in the morning and I’m guessing it was the bang that woke me up,” a neighbour said.

“There was a fire alarm going off but it was hazy and dark so I couldn’t tell where it was coming from.

“There was nothing else until 5.15am and then we had an ambulance, three fire engines and three police cars outside.

“Mr O’Regan had smelt gas, gone downstairs to the kitchen and put the extractor fan on - that’s what caused the explosion.

“The cooker landed on him and broke his leg.

“We get so many noises in Weybourne you tend to not take any notice around here.

“I heard a smoke alarm but it sounded very distant. There was no smell of smoke or flames.”