A landlord has been injured after an electrical explosion took place in a city flat in Plymouth.
It’s said that the 67 year old man has suffered serious burns as a result of the incident, which involved an electricity cupboard suddenly exploding directly in front of him. It’s actually believed that two explosions took place.
The unnamed man has suffered burns to around 25% of his body and was rescued by a neighbour.
Police, ambulances and a fire crew were on hand immediately afterwards to fight the blaze caused by the explosion and offer support to the injured landlord who’s clothes were apparently burned off in the aftermath of the explosion.
As a result of the explosion around 94 homes around the area were immediately taken off the electricity supply by power supplier Western Power Distribution. Both the distribution company and the fire service are investigating the cause of the explosion in the next few days.
The landlord in question was saved from the blaze by a heroic neighbour. Tom Doidge, 71, entered the flat after seeing smoke pouring out of the open front door.
"The front door was open and thick acrid smoke was filling the hallway and pouring out, you couldn't see much.” he said.
"There was a man very badly burnt standing up and mumbling, so I carefully guided him out into the street and away from the smoke.
"I told him not to panic but I didn't want to touch his body in case it harmed him.
"His arms and hands were very sore. His legs looked badly burnt and his clothes were in tatters."
Although the cause of the electrical fault isn’t yet known, it is important for all landlords to know the dangers of electrical safety, and ensure that they’re taking steps to make sure things like this don’t happen.
