Residents on a peaceful residential street were left shocked this morning as they awoke to their street ‘shaking’.

Emergency services raced to Ollersett Avenue in New Mills, near Stockport, just after 8am on Tuesday morning (November 14) following reports of an explosion at a residential property.

Witnesses say they saw a man ‘dragged out’ of the wreckage by neighbours after the blast, which left the property in pieces. One man described the house as ‘looking like a demolition site’.

READ MORE: Residents evacuated as 'stolen' car smashes into home after police chase

READ MORE: Urgent emergency and mountain rescue response as girl 'evacuated' from Greater Manchester quarry

One man, who is believed to be in his seventies, was rushed to hospital by the air ambulance, and 12 properties evacuated. A cordon remains in place as police and fire crews work to make the scene safe.

Those living on the street said the explosion ‘just missed’ a number of children walking to the nearby school. “It could’ve been a lot worse,” one commented.

Another described the roof of the house as ‘looking like it had been lifted up and plonked back down again’.

“I was in my house when I felt the street shake,” one man said. “I don’t even know what happened - it just sort of happened.”

Another neighbour said he had been asleep but woke up to the sound of a ‘huge bang’.

“I went and looked out my bedroom window and could see loads of smoke coming from the house,” he said.

Police closed the road outside the home

At a press conference this afternoon, group manager Nathan Stevens from Derbyshire Fire and Inspector Anna Woodhouse from Derbyshire Police described their presence at the scene as ‘significant’ and said they will conduct a joint investigation into the cause. There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances at this time.

They said most evacuated residents will be able to return home this evening, but there will be a few who won’t. Affected residents were urged to attend the rest centre and work with police to ensure everyone returns home safely.

People have been warned to say away from the area. The council said: "Following an explosion at a property in New Mills, a rest centre for affected residents is available at New Mills Leisure Centre. Anyone affected should to go to the Leisure Centre where the Derbyshire Emergency Volunteers will be able to help. Please stay away from the area."

Fire, police and ambulance teams were all called after the blast

Derbyshire Fire service said: "Firefighters are currently dealing with an explosion on Ollersett Avenue, New Mills. The exact cause of the explosion is still being investigated.

"Fire crews from New Mills, Glossop, Whaley Bridge and Buxton with the command support unit were called to the incident at 8.07 hours this morning. Twelve properties in the surrounding area have been evacuated.

"Those who have been evacuated from their properties are asked to attend New Mills Leisure Centre to register that they have been evacuated. Other local residents are asked to keep their windows and doors closed while emergency services deal with the incident.

A spokesperson for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We received a call at 8.10am today, Tuesday 14 November to a private address in New Mills, High Peak. The caller reported a medical emergency.

"We sent a paramedic in an ambulance car, two crewed ambulances and the air ambulance was also in attendance. One patient was transported to Sheffield Northern General Hospital via air ambulance."