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Leeds ARTICLES

Pub In Leeds Explodes

01st May 2008

An explosion at a nearby public house shook the residents of a densely populated area of Leeds.

A witness to the explosion spoke of the aftermath saying, 'I couldn't believe how much damage was caused. There was smoke everywhere and the pub was just gone and smashed to bits.'

The explosion ripped through the former Florence Nightingale pub in Becket Street reducing it to rubble.

The roof of the pub was blown off and the upper windows were shattered with the force of the explosion.

The blast sent tremors through three 18-storey blocks of flats that overlook the Pub.

Debris from the explosion was left strewn about over the area with several cars damaged.

A resident of Shakespeare Court said, 'I could feel the whole building shake and the noise of the blast was deafening.'

The neighbouring Fountain Head pub was also damaged with windows being blown out while it was busy with customers.

Reports have come in that residents had smelt gas earlier on in the day before the explosion at the Pub.

A United Utilities spokesman said, 'the gas network firm had not received any reports of a gas leak. The first they knew of any gas leak was after the explosion.'

Five people were injured in the incident and were taken to the St James's hospital. The main gates of the hospital are situated across from the Fountain Head pub.

The police and fire service launched a major operation to protect hospital patients, staff and residents.

Jimmy's Hospital main access route is also on Beckett Street and was closed to the public after the explosion.

A spokesperson for the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said, 'One of the main access routes to Jimmy's had been closed, but the Accident and Emergency department was still functioning normally.'

SOURCE:
West Yorkshire Post