The victims of a gas explosion at a house in Newark have been named locally as Jeanette and Leslie Rourke.
Grandfather Leslie, 71, and his daughter-in-law Jeanette, 40, were killed after a huge gas blast destroyed their terraced house, in Wright Street, on Sunday afternoon.
Four others were injured in the incident, including Jeanette's husband Nick, now in a serious condition in hospital.
The three other victims were said to be a mother from a neighbouring property, her four-month-old daughter and seven-year-old son.
Jeanette's body has not yet been recovered from the house, but is expected to be removed later today.
Rescue workers are demolishing the house brick by brick, due to the unstable condition of the property.
Nottinghamshire County Council has announced that the cordon around the explosion scene in Newark has been reduced. They have issued the following information for residents living in these roads:• Cromwell Mews Residents living on Cromwell Mews except numbers 1 and 2 can now return to their properties. Currently this will be pedestrian access only, although residents can collect vehicles to take away – no vehicles may be brought in. Residents should go to the cordon nearest to their property and make themselves known to the police in order to be given access. • Cromwell Road Residents living on Cromwell Road approaching Wright Street, up to and including number 15, can now return to their properties. Currently this will be pedestrian access only, although residents can collect vehicles to take away – no vehicles may be brought in. Residents should go to the cordon nearest to their property and make themselves known to the police in order to be given access. • Private Road No access other than to collect belongings. If residents need to collect belongings they should report to police at the cordon and will be escorted to their property if it is safe to do so at the time. • Wright Street Odd numbered properties from 15-27 inclusive (i.e. the other side of the street to the house where the explosion took place) - no access other than to collect belongings. If residents need to collect belongings they should report to police at the cordon on Hill View Gardens and will be escorted to their property if it is safe to do so at the time. Residents living at numbers 34, 32, 26 and 24 Wright Street should make contact with the Council. The Grove Leisure Centre has been established as a place of safety and the Council is assisting emergency services as required. Local residents living near to the explosion who require information or support can contact the Council on 0300 500 80 80.
Nottinghamshire County Council has announced that the cordon around the explosion scene in Newark has been reduced. They have issued the following information for residents living in these roads:• Cromwell Mews Residents living on Cromwell Mews except numbers 1 and 2 can now return to their properties. Currently this will be pedestrian access only, although residents can collect vehicles to take away – no vehicles may be brought in. Residents should go to the cordon nearest to their property and make themselves known to the police in order to be given access. • Cromwell Road Residents living on Cromwell Road approaching Wright Street, up to and including number 15, can now return to their properties. Currently this will be pedestrian access only, although residents can collect vehicles to take away – no vehicles may be brought in. Residents should go to the cordon nearest to their property and make themselves known to the police in order to be given access. • Private Road No access other than to collect belongings. If residents need to collect belongings they should report to police at the cordon and will be escorted to their property if it is safe to do so at the time. • Wright Street Odd numbered properties from 15-27 inclusive (i.e. the other side of the street to the house where the explosion took place) - no access other than to collect belongings. If residents need to collect belongings they should report to police at the cordon on Hill View Gardens and will be escorted to their property if it is safe to do so at the time. Residents living at numbers 34, 32, 26 and 24 Wright Street should make contact with the Council. The Grove Leisure Centre has been established as a place of safety and the Council is assisting emergency services as required. Local residents living near to the explosion who require information or support can contact the Council on 0300 500 80 80.
