The body of a man has been discovered after an explosion on a row of terraced homes.

The victim was found dead at 1.18pm on Tuesday following reports of an explosion on Clifton Mount in Rotherham.

Craig Cockram said he ‘heard a bang…as if there was a shooting.’

The resident, who lives in a block of flats nearby was evacuated from the scene. He told the BBC ‘I’m just shocked, bemused,’ he said.

‘I can’t believe what’s happened.’

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: ‘Emergency services attended and a man was sadly found deceased.

‘In collaboration with South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services, enquiries are ongoing to confirm the cause of the explosion.

‘Initial enquiries indicate that there is no risk to the wider community.

‘Clifton Mount was closed but has since been reopened.’

A Cadent Gas spokesperson said its engineers were called to the scene but confirmed it was ‘not an issue related to our gas network’.

He said: ‘First and foremost, our thoughts go out to the loved ones of the individual who has lost their life in tragic circumstances.

‘Cadent’s role on site has been to support the emergency services as best we possibly can, and we will continue to do that.’

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