Family in critical condition in hospital following suspected gas explosion in Whitehaven

Three people - two men and a woman - are in hospital in a critical but stable condition. Credit: ITV Border.

A family remain in hospital in "critical but stable conditions" following a suspected gas explosion in West Cumbria.

Cumbria Police, Fire and Rescue and North West Ambulance Service attended the scene after reports of a suspected gas explosion on Hugh Street, Whitehaven, just after 4.20pm on 31 December 2024.

A couple in their 70s and their daughter, who is in her 50s, are in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Emergency services continue to investigate the cause of the suspected gas explosion after cordoning off the area in Whitehaven. The public is being advised to avoid the area until further notice.

All known residents have been accounted for. Those affected have been supported by Cumberland Council to find suitable accommodation.

Three people are in a critical condition in hospital following the explosion. Credit: ITV Border

A number of animals have also been rescued by Cumbria Police.

Paddy O'Hara, Superintendent of Cumbria Police, said: "I'd like to thank the local people impacted by this unexpected event for their resourcefulness and patience, as well as emergency service partners, the local authority and other partner agencies for their work following this incident.

“Finally I would like to give particular thanks to the police officers who first responded to the incident.

"Their efforts to assist people resulted in them being briefly hospitalised with smoke inhalation but I’m pleased to report they have since been discharged from hospital."

A Cumbria Police statement added: "Whilst the cause of the fire is not currently being treated as suspicious, a multi-agency investigation is ongoing involving Cumbria Police, the Health and Safety Executive, Local Authority and Cumbria Fire and Rescue to ascertain how the fire began.

"All remain in hospital in a critical but stable condition."

A fundraiser has been set up to raise money for the people affected by the explosion.

A statement issued on behalf of the family by fundraisers Sarah and John Buchanan said: "Both myself and my husband are close family relatives to the family that have devastatingly had the gas explosion that happened on New Year’s Eve at Hugh Street on Bransty in Whitehaven.

"At this time, due to not all close family members being around I cannot give particulars around the family. All I can confirm is the home is owned by an elderly couple who also had their older daughter staying with them for the Christmas period and both the homeowners and their daughter remain in hospital.

"I cannot express enough how devastating it must be for all the residents of Hugh Street that have been affected with both damage to other houses and cars and also how scary it must have been for them.

"Whilst the GoFundMe page I have set up, particularly for the family that has lost their home to the explosion and remain in hospital, will only scratch the surface of what will be needed to recover and rebuild moving forward from this, please donate where possible to give them a start and the essentials they will need in the long journey ahead. My heart goes out to all involved."

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