A fundraiser has been set up to support the man who was hospitalised after the suspected gas explosion in Buckinghamshire and the pub which supported evacuated residents.

Emergency services were called to a suspected gas explosion at a home on Cobb Hall Road in Newton Longville at around 9.45am on Sunday.

The police, the fire service and an air ambulance were all called to the scene. The explosion destroyed the property of a man in his 60s, who has been named locally as Steve.

The Crooked Billet pub opened its doors as a place of refuge for people who had been evacuated from their homes and became a base for emergency services working throughout the day.

A property was destroyed in Newton Longville following a suspected gas explosion

placeholder image — A property was destroyed in Newton Longville following a suspected gas explosion

Pub owner Paul and his team fed and supported emergency crews, looked after evacuated residents and gave generously when the community needed it most, Hope Batchelor writes in the fundraiser which can be found online here.

She said: “They have done all of this without hesitation, and we know that much of what they’ve provided has come directly out of the pub’s own pocket. So, rather than simply saying thank you, we would love to give our community the opportunity to give something back.”

Hope added: “Today has shown exactly what makes Newton Longville such a special place. In an incredibly frightening situation, people have looked after one another.

“Let’s show Steve, Paul, the team at The Crooked Billet and everyone affected that our village is behind them.”

At the time of writing £4,745 has been raised and over 200 people have donated to the fundraiser.