One house in Sunderland has been destroyed and another left badly damaged by a gas explosion in Ryhope that left a woman seriously injured.
It has been reported that she was saved from further injury after her fridge fell on her. Remarkably no-one else was hurt.
There were reports of an explosion at an address in Rosslyn Avenue at around 8.50am on Friday, August 11.
Emergency services, including Northumbria Police, the North East Ambulance Service, the Great North Air Ambulance and Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade attended the scene.
One woman has been taken to the RVI – her condition is serious but stable.
All other residents affected by the explosion are now safe and have been accounted for.
Residents in the street have been moved from the area for safety and can use the evacuation centre based in the former library on Black Road.
A 30m cordon is currently in place and the road has been closed.
The public are being asked to avoid the area.
Officers from Northumbria Police have confirmed the incident has no link to terrorism activity.
An investigation into the circumstances of the explosion will begin in due course.