Police have launched a manhunt for 28-year-old Jacob Ryan following a catastrophic house explosion in Bradford that left five people injured, including a young boy, with authorities investigating suspected metal theft as the cause of Saturday night’s devastating blast on Southfield Lane.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed they are searching for Ryan on suspicion of theft linked to the empty property that exploded at approximately 10:10pm on Saturday, 13 September, completely levelling the unoccupied residence and causing significant damage to two neighbouring homes. A second man has already been arrested on suspicion of metal theft and is receiving treatment for non-life threatening injuries in hospital.
The explosion, which witnesses described as creating “earthquake-like” tremors through the Little Horton area, prompted a massive emergency response with approximately 25 fire engines, multiple ambulances, and numerous police vehicles racing to the scene. Residents reported hearing a deafening bang that shook houses across the neighbourhood, with one witness capturing dramatic footage showing debris scattered across the street.
Five People Hospitalised After Blast
A man, woman and young boy from a nearby property were rushed to hospital for treatment of minor injuries following the explosion, whilst a 27-year-old man found close to the scene was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He has since been arrested on suspicion of metal theft at the empty property just prior to the explosion taking place.
Superintendent Lucy Leadbeater of Bradford District Police said: “While the cause of the explosion at this empty property remains under investigation, we are investigating reports of a metal theft taking place there just prior to the incident.”
She added: “One man arrested on suspicion of involvement in the theft was seriously injured and we are seeking to locate a second man, who we can name as Jacob Ryan, in connection with the theft offence. It is possible Jacob may have been injured as well, and we urge him or anyone who knows him to come forward. It is important we make sure he has access to any medical treatment he may need.”
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service responded to what they initially described as a “house explosion with no fire”, deploying specialist teams including the technical rescue unit and urban search and rescue dogs to conduct thorough searches of the devastated property. These units, trained specifically for building collapses and locating survivors in challenging conditions, worked through Saturday night combing through the wreckage.
Witnesses Describe Terrifying Blast
Local resident Kyan Rane, who posted dramatic footage of the aftermath on social media platform X, told reporters: “All of Southfield Lane is full of fire and ambulances now, it’s really bad.” His video showed the complete destruction of the property with emergency services personnel in hazardous materials protective equipment working at the blast site.
Another witness reported seeing “at least 25 emergency vehicles” converging on the residential street, whilst residents described the overwhelming scale of the emergency response that transformed the normally quiet neighbourhood into a scene of intense activity.
One local resident posted on social media: “Did anyone hear that loud bang in Bradford about 10 mins ago? It sounded like an explosion.” Minutes later, they confirmed: “Someone’s house has blown up on Southfield Lane.”
The force of the blast was so severe that neighbouring properties reported power cuts and structural damage. One woman said her house shook violently, whilst another resident described hearing what sounded like “an earthquake” rocking through the area.
Road Closures and Investigation
Traffic management system Inrix confirmed that the A6177 Southfield Lane remained closed in both directions on Sunday between Little Horton Lane and Hudson Crescent due to the unsafe building. Utility companies worked alongside emergency services to make the area safe, with a significant police cordon established around the destroyed property.
“Emergency services were called to the location at about 10:10pm on Saturday 13 September to reports of an explosion at a house there,” a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson confirmed. “Police, fire and ambulance services attended at the unoccupied property which had been significantly damaged, with damage also caused to two adjacent properties.”
The investigation into the exact cause of the explosion continues, with detectives from Bradford District CID leading the inquiry. Whilst initial reports suggested a gas leak may have been responsible, police are now focusing on metal theft as a potential contributing factor to the blast.
Recent Spate of Residential Explosions
The Bradford incident adds to a concerning pattern of devastating residential explosions across England in recent months. In June, a property in Alvaston, Derby, was destroyed when a suspected gas blast sent tremors through Eden Street, with security cameras capturing debris launching high into the air.
Another dramatic incident occurred in December when an explosion obliterated a terraced property in Ilford, east London, requiring approximately 60 firefighters and eight fire engines to bring the situation under control.
These incidents have raised questions about the safety of residential gas supplies and the dangers posed by metal theft at vacant properties, with authorities warning about the potentially catastrophic consequences of tampering with gas pipes and electrical systems.
Public Appeal for Information
Police are urgently appealing for anyone with information about Jacob Ryan’s whereabouts to come forward. The 28-year-old Bradford man is described as potentially injured and in need of medical treatment following the explosion.
“Anyone who can assist enquiries in any way is asked to contact Bradford District CID on 101 referencing police log 1857 of 13 September,” police stated. “Information can also be given via the West Yorkshire Police website live chat or anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”
West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service confirmed that whilst initial reports suggested further casualties might be unaccounted for, their specialist search teams, including urban search and rescue dogs, conducted comprehensive searches throughout Saturday night and into Sunday morning to ensure no one remained trapped in the wreckage.
The incident has left residents shocked and concerned about safety in the area, with many expressing relief that the explosion occurred at an empty property rather than an occupied home. However, the injuries sustained by those in neighbouring properties, including a child, have highlighted the serious dangers posed by such incidents.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the catastrophic explosion, with particular focus on the suspected metal theft activities that may have triggered the blast. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potentially deadly consequences of metal theft, which has become an increasing problem across the UK as criminals target vacant properties for valuable copper piping and electrical wiring.
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