A man who lost his home in a gas explosion has spoken out about the moment his life 'changed in an instant.'
Emergency services were called to Block D in Pilgrims Way on Tuesday evening, February 3, with fire crews from Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Winchester alerted, along with Hampshire Police who provided assistance.
The resident, who asked not to be named, said: “On the night of the gas explosion, my life changed in an instant.
Read more
-
Gas leak at Andover flats leads to emergency services response
-
Police and fire crews called to Andover home following medical emergency
-
This is why you may have seen a fire engine on Andover High Street yesterday
“I am heartbroken to share that I lost my home and all of my belongings. It’s overwhelming to process, and the road ahead feels uncertain.”
He has lost more than 50 years’ worth of possessions. The only items he was able to recover were his parrot, five small dogs and his wife’s ashes.
He said: “However, in the middle of all this loss, I am incredibly grateful for what truly matters, my pets and I are safe. That is something I will never take for granted.”
Following the explosion, the man put out a small fire which was breaking out in his kitchen
He praised the emergency services and those who helped on the night.
He said: “I want to sincerely thank everyone who showed up that night, the first responders, neighbours, family and even strangers who offered help, comfort and support.
“In one of the worst moments of my life, you reminded me how much good there is in this world.
“Right now, I’m taking things one day at a time. Thank you for your continued prayers, positive thoughts and support as I begin to rebuild.”
The property is managed by Aster Group. The housing association has since put in measures for the safety of neighbours.
A spokesperson for Aster said: “This was clearly a very serious incident and we have been providing both support and reassurance to our customers and local residents. Thankfully, the incident hasn’t caused any injuries.
“Residents at homes which may be affected have moved out while their homes are assessed. There is no risk to other nearby homes. We are working to assess the damage fully. We have put up safety fencing around the home, and as a precaution, the road will be temporarily closed.
“We understand how distressing this incident must have been for those living nearby and will reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Share