Daughter of man who died after leaping from bedroom as blast tore through his home tells of her heartache
Grieving Leanne Wilson pays tribute to father John describing him as a 'very brave man' following horror explosion in Manchester
THE daughter of a man who died in a devastating explosion which destroyed his family’s home has spoken of her heartache.
Leanne Wilson found her father, John, mother Hazel and sister Danielle lying wounded in the street following the blast at the terraced house in Manchester in the early hours of Tuesday.
Mr and Mrs Wilson had both jumped out of the bedroom window of their home after a fire started - moments before the whole place exploded.
Mr Wilson, 63, who had previously survived a double lung transplant, died of his injuries on Tuesday night.
RELATED STORIES
Mrs Wilson, 53, and Danielle, 22, remain in hospital. Leanne, who lives on the same street, said they are in a “stable” condition.
Danielle jumped from the roof of the terrace house in a desperate bid to escape the inferno which broke out at 5.10am.
As neighbours rushed to help, the fire sparked a huge explosion, with glass and debris flying up to 70 metres.
People were sent flying through the air when the blast tore through the house and two neighbouring homes.
Up to 10 people were injured, three – including Mr Wilson – seriously.
There has not yet been an update on their conditions.
A vigil is due to be held at Hurst Methodist Church tonight for Mr Wilson and the families of others injured.
Leanne, 25, spoke as she watched what remained of her parents’ home be demolished.
She said: “My mum and sister are stable in hospital.
“It hasn’t sunk in what’s happened to dad with them yet. It hasn’t sunk in with me either.
“He suffered a lot of broken bones, he wasn’t in a good way.
“He was ill later in his life and was a very strong, very brave man.
“He was an excellent dad and grandad – and a fabulous husband to mum.
“He’ll be missed by a lot of people. Mum was devoted to looking after him.”
The Wilsons’ home was destroyed following the fire and subsequent blast.
Workmen set about demolishing it on Tuesday evening, with most of the structure torn down by noon on Wednesday.
The cause of the fire and explosion is still being investigated.
Fire crews will be able to properly comb the site to find out what happened now there is no risk of debris falling.
Mrs Wilson was nominated a Pride of Manchester award in 2005 after caring for her husband when he became desperately ill.
She had to juggle work as a part-time welfare assistant while looking after her family and husband.
The couple were together for more than 30 years.
Mr Wilson is understood to have had an oxygen tank in the house when the explosion happened.
He was diagnosed with emphysema and had a double lung transplant in 2004.
Hitendra ‘Harry’ Patel, was just one of the heroes who stepped in to help when the fire started.
The shopkeeper, 63, was left with horrific facial injuries and had to undergo surgery on Tuesday evening for a damaged retina.
Bricks and glass flew in his face as he tried desperately to help.
Along with hospital worker Ryan Eastwood, 38, he dragged a mattress into the street so the Wilsons could leap to safety from their house.
On Wednesday morning, Harry’s son Vic said he was recovering well after undergoing surgery, but was too tired to speak.
He is due to go back to hospital for a check up.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368