Newcastle gas explosion

The blast left the house in ruins Credit: ITV

A 65-year-old man has been treated in hospital after a gas explosion that left his Newcastle home in ruins. It took more than an hour for rescuers to save him from under rubble in his back garden.

The blast in Heaton also caused structural damage to neighbouring houses on both sides, which had to be evacuated. The force of the explosion was strong enough to blow open doors and windows of the houses on the street behind the house.

The wife of the man involved was out of the house when the explosion happened on Saturday. No one else was injured.

Structural engineers will continue their assessments this week Credit: ITV

The incident is not being treated as suspicious. Neighbours have reported a strong smell of gas in the area. An investigation is looking into the cause of the explosion.