A man who was pulled from the rubble of his house following an explosion is continuing to fight for his life in hospital.

The 57-year-old was rescued by a passing roofer after a suspected gas explosion left him with ‘severe burns’ and destroyed his property in Kirkland Walk, Middlesbrough, on Tuesday afternoon.

Doorbell footage of the blast was posted onto social media and showed a sudden burst of flames appear from the home, followed by thick plumes of smoke which covered the local area.

Cleveland Police said the explosion scene remained cordoned off because of fears about the dangers posed by structural damage to the building.

Residents say the victim’s clothes were in rags as brave local man Kayfee Hameed, 45, carried him on his back away from the danger and placed him on the grass outside.

Doorbell footage of the blast was posted onto social media and showed a sudden burst of flames appear from the home

A suspected gas explosion destroyed a house in scenes of ‘absolute carnage’ on Tuesday 

An air ambulance is on scene alongside gas workers 

Michael Clark, who lives with his wife in Kirkland Walk, said on Tuesday: ‘The man was screaming in the rubble.

‘The man looked terrible when they brought him out. All his clothes were stuck to him and they looked like rags.

‘His hair was all burned, everything, from top to bottom.’

Mr Hameed told The Mirror: ‘I ran inside and I said is “anybody there?” The man was laid down, there were all rocks on his leg. He was just shocked.

‘I told him to come closer because the fire was coming down. I put him on my back and got him out. I put him on the grass. All his skin came off like a carrier bag.’

It’s not the first time Mr Hameed has helped out in a crisis, as he bravely intervened and helped armed police in Middlesbrough after a fight between men wielding weapons spilled into the grounds of Berwick Hills Primary School in 2021.

After being taken to safety by Mr Hameed, the man was taken to Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, via an air ambulance.

Two ambulance crews, a rapid response paramedic, a doctor, four Hazardous Area Response Teams and the air ambulance were sent to the scene.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service said: ‘Our team activated at 12.46pm to an incident in Middlesbrough.

‘We had two doctors and two paramedics respond to the scene and they worked alongside the North East Ambulance Service to assess and treat a patient.

‘The patient is being airlifted to hospital.’

A general view of the scene of the suspected gas explosion at the property near Frampton Green

The property is in ruins after the suspected gas explosion in Middlesbrough 

Reports suggested a house had been badly damaged in an explosion

Cleveland Fire Brigade were asked people to stay away from the scene of the incident in Kirkland Walk, Middlesbrough,

Kayfee Hameed bravely intervened to drag the victim out of the house

A general view of the scene of a suspected gas explosion at a property near Frampton Green in Middlesbrough

Pictures from the scene show one semi-detached property has been completely destroyed

Firefighters remain at the scene and the area has been cordoned off to the public

Police say they are working with Middlesbrough Council, Cleveland Fire Brigade, Northern Power Grid and others to establish what happened and to make sure residents affected by the incident receive support.

A force spokesperson said: ‘The 57-year-old man who was seriously injured in the incident is in hospital in a critical condition.’

The blast was described by residents as ‘absolute carnage’.

Pictures from the scene show one semi-detached property has been completely destroyed in the incident.

Sean Joseph, who lives at the back of the property, said: ‘I work from home and just heard a huge explosion. I actually thought it was a plane crashing’.

Luke Myler, a councillor in the area, posted on X: ‘Very concerned by news emerging from Park End.

‘Emergency services are responding now. I would urge people not to speculate until details are confirmed – I will keep residents updated as and when I can, and my team is here to help connect anyone affected with the relevant services.’