Explosion ‘like a bomb’ rocks Derby city centre

Offices and other buildings were evacuated yesterday evening (4 April) after a huge explosion rocked Derby city centre, causing a blaze near Friar Gate.

The fire broke out around 5pm, with people in the immediate area evacuated. Firefighters says the blaze started in the the plant room at the top of Norman House, which is home to offices and flats. Residents in the flats had to find accommodation last night after they were unable to return to their homes.

Derbyshire Police closed roads around the area where both Curzon Street and Ford Street meet Friar Gate, and where Friary Street meets Curzon Street. Roads have opened this morning as an investigation began into the cause of the fire.

Gemma Lovett, creative lead at WDA Automotive and WDA Branding tweeted: “All businesses, including ours, were evacuated on Friar Gate, Derby after a loud explosion and fire broke out in a building behind The Friary just after 5pm.”

Gemma told TheBusinessDesk.com: “It shook us at the office because it sounded like a bomb. In the flats, apparently, the smoke alarms didn’t activate. We were pushed back up George street for our safety. Then evacuated.”