Seven Sisters house explosion: Mum and two sons 'critical'

A mother and her two sons, aged five and two, are in a critical but stable condition after a house explosion.

Neighbouring properties were also badly damaged in the blast on Church Road in Seven Sisters, Neath Port Talbot, at about 14:05 BST on Wednesday.

Up to 18 neighbours helped pull the woman, named locally as Jessica Williams, 31, and her two children from the house, one rescuer said.

An investigation into the cause of the explosion is under way.

Both boys were flown to Southmead Hospital, Bristol, and the woman was taken to Morriston Hospital, Swansea.

The road remains closed and people are being asked to avoid the area, South Wales Police said.

'Your natural instinct is to help'

Retired firefighter Jeff Davies, who was one of the first on the scene, said he scrambled to the house after hearing a bang and a woman screaming.

He told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast he and five neighbours rescued the woman from debris in the back of the house while about six pulled the children free.

He said: "It was unbelievable the scene, shocking.

"Normally the wise thing would be to stand back and watch and let others come but obviously there's always a delay until the services come and when you hear people and know there's people in the building your natural instinct is to help.

"Thankfully there must have been about a dozen people at the front of the property and there must have been half a dozen along with myself helping out the back - it was a great community team effort.

Neighbours pulled the woman and children free

"Other volunteers, residents had pulled the children out from the front of the house."

He said he and his neighbours moved the woman using joists from the collapsed roof of the house.

"She was immense. Such a brave young lady," he said.

"She was injured herself and very concerned for her children."

Debris was left strewn among the remains of the terraced house

Fourteen nearby properties were evacuated following the incident.

Next door neighbour Susan Morgan, 73, said: "They are a lovely, lovely family. This is so sad for them but we are just glad they are alive."

Mrs Morgan was visiting friends when the explosion happened..

She said: "I can't go back into my house. The roof is leaning forward so it is not safe - I've got no idea what is going to happen now."

Community councillor Gary James told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast: "We're a close-knit community and I know for a fact that the neighbours rushed to the scene…

"It's a major shock to the community and our thoughts are with the family who were living there."

She said Neath Port Talbot had opened a rest centre for residents.

Kirsten Alison Williams, who was visiting family nearby, said the explosion made their conservatory shake.

"What shook me the most was a small, baby teddy bear was there laying on top of the car roof," she said.

Air ambulances were sent to the scene after the explosion

Wales and West Utilities said it sent emergency engineers to assist and make the site safe.

Sarah Burgess, emergency service manager for Neath, said: "We do not operate the gas network on Church Road and have handed it over to the relevant independent gas network to continue the investigation."

Neath Port Talbot council leader Rob Jones thanked the emergency services for their swift response and said the council "stands ready to offer whatever support is required".

"My thoughts and those of my council colleagues are with those who were injured in the explosion," he said.

"I know that Seven Sisters is a close-knit community, and that many will be feeling a mixture of shock and sadness at this time."

Mid Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended

Reporter Rhys Williams at the scene

It is now the day after the explosion and debris from the house are still strewn across Church Road.

The road remains closed to both vehicles and pedestrians as investigators work to establish the cause of the blast.

Emergency vehicles remain at the scene.

One neighbour, who didn't want to be named, said he had no idea if there was any damage to his home but didn't care, as long as his neighbour and children were safe.

"When you see them growing up, and see them in the garden you grow attached," he said.