'It sounded like two lorries had crashed': Residents speak of shock at Rowley Regis flat explosion
"It sounded like two lorries had crashed or blown up. I could feel it and it was so loud. It was the loudest thing you would want to hear."
This is how Marcus Paddock described an explosion and blaze at a Rowley Regis flat just yards from where he lives.
The 25-year-old said the roof of the property was set alight and it had taken firefighters around an hour to extinguish the flames on Tuesday night.
"I was just sitting in my flat watching TV when it exploded," he said.
"I walked outside and saw the front door had flown down the garden. I just feel so lucky it wasn't me."
Windows were smashed, a front door blown off its hinges, and the property was decimated in the blast which left two men in hospital with burns.
Nearby homes in Oldbury Road were evacuated as fire crews worked to put out the flames and make the building safe.
West Midlands Police has launched an investigation and are trying to work out what caused the explosion, which is not known at this stage.
The two injured men, both aged in their 30s, escaped the flat before being detained by officers and taken to Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley. Officers say they will be questioned when fit enough.
Both suffered burns to their hands and lower backs.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple explosions just before 10.10pm, within seconds of the initial blast and described a huge 'rumble'.
Alex Worthington, aged 28, lives on the opposite side of Oldbury Road.
She said: "We heard a huge bang and then there was a rumble. I thought a lorry had crashed. We saw the two men come out of the home. One looked badly hurt and was holding their hand.
"There were also other little explosions a few minutes after. People were saying it was gas which caused it. The gas company were here last night."
Although the cause of the blast remains unclear, National Grid confirmed it had nothing to do with the gas supply.
Jane Taylor, spokeswoman for National Grid, said: "We were called out to the flat explosion where we disconnected the supply to the property for safety reasons.
"It had not affected anything else, just the supply at the one property.
"I understand an investigation is going on into what caused it. Gas was not involved at all."
Most of the damage caused in the blast was to the rear of the building, which contains four council flats.
The windows of an upstairs flat were blown open.
In total, 20 residents were evacuated from their homes and asked to stand well back outside the nearby Lifestyle Express shop.
Most of them were allowed back into their homes at around 2am yesterday, while two residents were provided alternative accommodation by Sandwell Council. Two other families decided to stay with family members.
On Wednesday morning there was more drama when concerns were raised military collectable items were in the neighbouring flat.
A Royal Logistic Corps bomb disposal team were called and police forced entry to the flat. The items were later declared safe.
In a message posted on Facebook by West Midlands Police, it said: "Officers were called just before 10.10pm on Tuesday to reports of a fire and attended with colleagues from the fire service who extinguished the blaze.
"An investigation has been launched and at this stage it appears there was an explosion at the property which caused the fire.
"Two men who were inside managed to leave the flat and were detained by officers outside. They have been taken to hospital with minor injuries and will be questioned about what happened when they are fit to do so.
"Nobody else is believed to have been injured."
Staff from Sandwell Council were in Oldbury Road yesterday assessing the damage to its properties.
Council leader Darren Cooper said: "Our neighbourhoods team and structural engineers were on site yesterday assessing the damage. And we are working to make the site safe and secure
"There is significant damage to a first floor flat, particularly to the roof and walls. We will continue to assess the situation and support tenants as required."
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said the two injured men remained in hospital yesterday.
Anyone with information about what happened is asked to contact police on 101.
