Gas blast man undergoes surgery

Date published: 30/12/2008

A 43-YEAR-OLD man who was dramatically rescued from a gas explosion in Abbeyhills is in a stable condition in hospital.

John Allen, who suffered burns to his right arm, chest and stomach was undergoing surgery to remove the dead skin at Wythenshawe Hospital yesterday afternoon.

Mr Allen, who was already being treated for a brain tumour, was dragged from the debris by neighbour Martina Maguire as fire took hold after the huge blast demolished his home in Byland Avenue last Tuesday.

The 46-year-old mother-of-one, who has been hailed a hero for rescuing Mr Allen before alerting the emergency services, said: “John will stay at Wythenshawe Hospital for a couple of months. We are hoping his arm doesn’t catch an infection because if it does, he could lose it.

“I felt so sorry for his wife, Ann, who had to sit and watch her collapsed home over Christmas.

“I have had a terrible Christmas myself as I couldn’t get the incident out of my head. I am also having trouble sleeping.”

The property next to Mr Allen’s house was also badly damaged in the blast.

Mrs Maguire added: “Jodie Cook, who lived next door, and her two children are currently living at their grandmother’s house in Clarksfield.

“We have been told that it was an independent gas explosion that caused the devastation.
“I just hope Oldham Council is able to provide them with accommodation soon.”

Mr Allen’s distraught wife, Ann, said: “I am not going to make a comment until I know what will happen to our house.

“John is still poorly, but is in a stable condition.

“I want to thank all my neighbours, especially Martina, for everything they have done for us.”

Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s in Oldham has kindly donated clothes to Jodie and her two children to cheer them up over Christmas.