House explosion prompts fundraising event

Several properties were damaged in the blast in June

A fundraiser has been held to raise money for people whose homes were damaged by an explosion on a street in Derby.

Three houses were damaged and one man was taken to hospital after the suspected gas blast in Eden Street, Alvaston, on 10 June.

Following the explosion, Laraine Hurt and Danielle Parker set up the Eden Street Residents Group, and one of the fundraising events on Saturday featured a raffle and bake sale.

Ms Hurt said: "It's been amazing. I can't believe the interest we've had and the amount of people who've come and looked at the stalls and bought stuff."

"I've had people coming up to me while I've been on the street, putting money in my hand. So it's been absolutely fantastic."

She hoped the money raised would be a "morale booster" for the two residents whose homes have since been demolished and another resident who has still not been able to move back home due to roof damage.

Ms Parker, who lives adjacent to the demolished homes on Eden Street, said the fundraiser was a "good way to bring the community together".

"It was a horrible thing that happened on the street, it's not something that happens every day," said the 43-year-old.

"We thought this is actually a really good opportunity for us to come together as a community, because before that, I didn't know very many people on the street.

"I don't think we're going to raise enough money to rehouse those people, or bring back all their possessions, but it's more about the gesture really and anything that we can do to help.

"We don't have a lot of community these days and think this is something positive to come out of something really bad.

"I want to live on a street where there's a community feel and I think this is one step towards that."

Ms Parker said she decided to put on the fundraiser "to show that we cared"

Sandra Twells and her daughter Emma Timson were among those whose homes had to be demolished in the wake of the explosion.

Ms Timson said the past couple of months had been "very hard and devastating".

"I don't even know how to put it into words, we've just had to get on with things," she said.

Ms Timson said her mum had lived in the house for over 50 years and had "lots of memories" there.

"We've found alternative accommodation for now. We're grateful for the roof over our head but we lost our home, we lost everything," she said, adding it was "really kind" the fundraiser had been organised.

"Me and my mum are so very thankful to everybody on the street. They have been really supportive.

"Even on the night it happened, everybody rallied together and supported each other and helped each other.

"I think for them to do this as well, it's really kind of them."

Paul Solway, of no fixed abode, was charged with causing an explosion likely to endanger life and a further count of rape.

He is due to appear at a plea and trial preparation hearing on 12 December.