'Complex' demolition for houses hit by explosion
BBCThree houses on a street badly damaged in a suspected gas explosion are set to be demolished over several days.
Emergency services were called to the blast in Eden Street, Alvaston, Derby, at 19:24 BST on Tuesday.
One man was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham in a critical condition and search teams later found a small dog in the house, which was left in the care of a veterinary practice.
Demolition work at a property at the centre of the blast and two adjoining properties that suffered structural damage is now expected to begin on Friday, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said.
The fire service, which has now handed the scene over to Derbyshire Police, said the demolition process would support the investigation into the cause of the explosion and due to the complex process, was expected to take several days.
Work will take place between 09:00 and 16:30 on weekdays, with weekends left "to minimise disruption" to residents.
A spokesperson added: "At this stage it isn't possible to give any specific indication in terms of exactly how long this work will take."
The fire service said residents from 13 properties remained impacted but other Eden Street residents had been allowed to return to their homes.
As well as a number of terraced houses, nearby cars sustained "significant damage" in the explosion.
Police said it would like to hear from witnesses and trace the driver of a black Ford Fiesta, which passed by shortly before the explosion.
Eden Street is expected to remain closed "for some time", the fire service said on Wednesday.
A number of cars remain trapped behind the cordon but the fire service said the demolition work would mean some of these must remain in place.
Residents with concerns about their homes should speak to on-site officers, insurance companies or landlords, while Derby City Council is handling any residents needing social care support.
Anyone experiencing issues with their gas supplies is asked to contact Cadent, while any issues with electricity should be raised with on-site officers.
The Health and Safety Executive has also been informed.
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