BRADING MAN DIES IN HOSPITAL AFTER EXPLOSION DESTROYS HOME

A 60-year-old man has sadly died in hospital after an explosion and fire ripped through his Brading home at the start of the month. It was at around 02:40 in the morning on 1st December that residents on New Road were awoken by 2 loud explosions. A large fire subsequently engulfed a semi-detached home, later spreading to the adjoining property. The homeowner was rushed to St Mary’s Hospital and later flown to the mainland for treatment at Salisbury General Hospital’s specialist burns unit. It has now been confirmed that the 60-year-old – named locally as John Kent – succumbed to his injuries and died in Salisbury on 9th December, just over a week after the devastating incident. He had suffered burns. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has been unable to conduct an investigation into the cause of the fire due to the dangerous conditions on site. The property has been left as a burnt-out shell with nothing more than 4 brick walls standing. It has been revealed that fire crews initially responded to reports of an explosion, but further details of what exactly happened that night won’t be known until a full investigation has been carried out. According to locals, as Mr Kent opened the front door, it was ‘like a bomb going off’ and he was blasted back into the house. It’s understood the homeowner did not hold any insurance for the property. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has confirmed that it has not opened any criminal investigation and the matter is with the coroner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KpuL7mJ3Fc