Portsmouth families remain in council accommodation following Whale Island Way explosion

The incident saw Whale Island Way closed off as police, paramedics, firefighters from six stations, and a Hazardous Area Response Team dealt with the aftermath of a series of explosions just after midday on Friday.

Services ranging from the Red Cross to the council’s emergency response teams sprung into action to support the residents affected by the blast.

Michael McCormick, 52, his 45-year-old wife, Montse, and their son Mark, 19, told The News they were ‘seconds away’ from death when a series of blasts destroyed their home.

In all three families were left unable to return to their homes, and two families remain in accommodation provided by Portsmouth City Council, a spokesman from the local authority said.

He continued: ‘During the incident, the families were supported by the city council – emergency preparedness, resilience and response team, out-of-hours housing team and building control – the emergency services, the MoD, the Red Cross, and the Salvation Army.

‘All evacuated residents were supported with emergency welfare provision and where necessary offered temporary accommodation.

‘Those immediately affected were offered follow-up support by a number of agencies, including the council, throughout the weekend.’

A friend of one of the affected families has raised more than £600 to support the stricken family.

To support the fundraiser, see gofund.me/d0a25bf8

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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