More than £4,000 raised following explosion in Newton Longville
The fundraiser aims to support with veterinary costs for the man's injured dog and "give back" the local pub
More than £4,000 has been raised to support a Newton Longville man seriously injured in a house explosion, with the village rallying around him and his injured dog.
The incident happened on Cobb Hall Road at around 9.44am on Sunday, August 9, when emergency services were called to reports of an explosion, fire and subsequent collapse.
One person was injured and taken to hospital, where they remain, while nearby residents were evacuated as emergency crews dealt with the scene.
The cause of the explosion has not yet been confirmed.
The fundraiser was set up by Newton Longville resident Hope Batchelor, who was at home making breakfast when she heard a huge bang.
Her husband, whose office faces the front of their property, saw what appeared to be a large “mushroom cloud” from the explosion.
Hope immediately called emergency services and ran towards the scene to see if she could help.
When she arrived, the house was on fire and the injured man was on the ground, with neighbours helping him. Hope helped provide damp towels while waiting for emergency crews to arrive.
She later spotted his dog being looked after by another villager.
The dog had badly singed fur and burns to her nose, while Hope believed she also had burns around her eyes and eyelashes.
The dog’s usual vets could not be reached, as it was a Sunday, so Hope offered to take her to an emergency veterinary practice.
“She was just by an explosion, she was really hot and she wasn't eating or drinking at that time as well,” Hope said.
The dog was eventually admitted and kept at the vets for monitoring.
WATCH: Explosion at a house in Newton Longville
Community rallies around
Hope set up the fundraiser to help with the dog’s veterinary bills, support the injured man as he begins recovering and rebuilding his life, and “give something back” to the local pub.
The Crooked Billet opened its doors to residents evacuated from their homes and provided food and support for emergency crews during the incident.
Hope said much of that support had come directly from the pub’s own pocket.
She said seeing more than £4,000 raised had been “incredible”, particularly during the ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
“I think if you can, do something for someone,” she said.
The fundraiser is also intended to show the injured man that the community is behind him.
Hope contacted the hospital where the man had been taken to let staff know about the fundraiser and reassure them that his dog was safe and being cared for.
She said the response from Newton Longville had demonstrated the strength of the village community.
“Sometimes it takes a crisis to do that,” she said. “Sometimes the bad can show the good.”
Her message to people following the incident was simple: “Meet people with kindness always.”
“You might be angry. There might be a reason why you're angry for something happening, but... people need kindness now. The world needs kindness.”