Two men suffered burns in a suspected gas explosion at a house in Birmingham today (Tue).<br /><br />Emergency crews including two ambulances, three paramedics, a trauma doctor and an air ambulance raced to the scene at 9.42am.<br /><br />Two men were found at the house in Station Road in Acocks Green with burns and were rushed to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.<br /><br />West Midlands Police cordoned off the area while residents reported seeing 20 police cars and ambulances dashing to the scene.<br /><br />The force of the blast ripped through the house and neighbouring properties were evacuated in case they collapsed.<br /><br />Terrified residents reported hearing a “loud bang” at the time of the blast.<br /><br />One said: “I’m on nights so I was asleep when I was woken up by a loud bang. <br /><br />“It was really loud. I looked out the window and within minutes there were police cars and ambulances flying everywhere.<br /><br />“I heard from a resident that they smelled gas coming from the property in the last day or two. I’m just glad no one was seriously hurt.”<br /><br />Another local said: “It’s pretty scary. <br /><br />“My friend lives at the other end of the road and he said he heard the explosion and heard alarms and sirens going.”<br /><br />A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “On arrival, crews discovered two patients, both men.<br /><br />“One of the men was treated for potentially serious injuries, but not believed to be life-threatening, before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham by land ambulance.<br /><br />“The second man was treated for injuries not believed to be serious before being taken to the same hospital, also by land ambulance.”<br /><br />A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said: "Two men had left the building prior to our arrival and received treatment from fire crews and paramedics for burns.<br /><br />"They have been taken to hospital for further treatment. All other people were accounted for and there were no other injuries reported.<br /><br />"Several neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution but residents have since been allowed to return to their homes. <br /><br />“Fire Investigation Officers are now in attendance."
