POLICE have said a man is lucky to be alive after an explosion ripped through his house.
A 19-year-old man was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary after the blast which wrecked the kitchen and blew out windows of the terraced house. He was suffering from burns to his face and arms. Neighbours rushed outside when they heard the blast in Nelson Street, Bridlington. Police said they thought the blast was caused by a combination of "drugs and gas". The man was later transferred to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield, where he remains in a stable condition.
Superintendent Darren Downs, of Humberside Police, said: "The investigation is in its early stages, but indications suggest that this explosion was caused by drugs and butane gas being inside the premises."
Butane is mainly used for portable heaters, barbecuing and caravanning.
Supt Downs said: "I would like to send a message to people that this is a dangerous combination and one that could easily have had fatal consequences for the resident and, potentially, also for neighbouring properties.
"I would urge people not to experiment with dangerous gases and carry out acts that they may think will be of some benefit to them."
Such was the power of the explosion, at about 7pm on Friday, that police say it took an internal door clean off its hinges, moved one of the internal walls and also blew out several windows.
Supt Downs said: "The guy is OK but he is suffering one or two fairly significant injuries.
"He will be feeling them for some time.
"He was the only person in the house but the explosion could also have been a danger to homes nearby.
"It could have brought down walls.
"It is the first time I have heard of anything like this in the East Riding area and probably in the Humberside force area."
There were some structural issues to the house following the explosion, which have now been made safe.
One neighbour, a mother of two, who did not want to be named, said: "We heard a big bang and the house shook.
"Initially, I thought a chimney had collapsed. Other neighbours had rushed outside to have a look at what had happened.
"I have lived here for ten years and have never known anything like it.
"I did not know what had caused the explosion until I saw men with gas detectors.
"I saw the man from the house sitting on the wall outside. An on-call doctor was there immediately and the man looked in shock."
Humberside Fire and Rescue sent three vehicles from the town to the scene.
A spokesman said: "Two firefighters in breathing apparatus used the hose to put out a fire in the kitchen."
Supt Downs said: "We are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch."
Anyone with information ishould call police on 101, quoting log 665, of May 31.
