The Scarborough community has come together to support people evacuated after an explosion at a residential property.
Businesses and organisations across Scarborough have stepped up to offer help to those affected after an explosion was reported at 5.45am on Friday, May 8, in Cambridge Street.
As a precaution, 50 to 70 nearby homes and businesses were evacuated and a cordon was put in place.
Two people were taken to hospital, according to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, and the public was urged to avoid the area while emergency services dealt with the incident.
Scarborough Spa And British Red Cross Ambulance In Attendace Following Explosion At Cambridge Street. Courtesy Anttoni Numminen, Ldrs
Around a dozen people impacted by the incident, including families with children, were at Scarborough Spa at 1pm when the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) visited the official rest area that had been set up, which included a play zone for younger children.
North Yorkshire Council’s incident response team was assisting those who had been displaced and praised The Spa’s staff for their generosity and helpfulness.
The response team volunteers said the number of people had fluctuated during the day and that The Spa had provided people with drinks and meals.
The Street, Scarborough. Courtesy Anttoni Numminen, Ldrs
The Street, a youth and community facility at Lower Clark Street near the incident site, also offered its facilities to help those who had been evacuated and offered to provide refreshments free of charge.
Danny, a staff member at The Street, said that as of midday, no one affected by the explosion had come to the community centre.
YMCA Yorkshire Coast also offered free tea in its cafe and a safe space for those who needed it.
Speaking to the LDRS at 12pm at Cambridge Street, Chris Bourne, North Yorkshire Council’s head of harbours and coastal infrastructure, confirmed that all residents had been evacuated from the affected area and added “we are hoping to scale back soon”.
He added that people had been directed to Scarborough Spa in the South Bay.
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Yorkshire Ambulance Service said: “We received an emergency call at around 5.45am this morning (8 May) to report an explosion at a residential property on Cambridge Street in Scarborough.
“A number of ambulance resources, including three ambulances and the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART), were dispatched to the scene as part of a multi-agency response.
“Two patients were conveyed to hospital.”
Scarborough Cambridge Street Cordon. Courtesy Anttoni Numminen, Ldrs..
Alison Hume, the Member of Parliament for Scarborough and Whitby, thanked emergency services and other key workers “for attending this morning’s incident on Cambridge Street,” Ms Hume says in a statement.
She added: “The surrounding area remains sealed off, as reports of an explosion at a residential property are investigated.
“I ask members of the public to stay away from the area so those on the scene can do their jobs.
“I also want to thank staff at the Street for offering refreshments and shelter to evacuated residents.”
Cllr Thomas Murray, the town mayor of Scarborough, said: “I also want to thank the community who have stepped forward to support those affected.
“It’s moments like this, where Scarborough shows its true character, people coming together, looking after one another, and proving once again the strength of our town.”
