A man has died following an explosion on a residential street in Rotherham on Tuesday afternoon.

Emergency services were dispatched to Clifton Mount after residents across the wider area reported hearing a massive bang that could be heard from miles away.

South Yorkshire Police confirmed their officers attended the location, where a man was sadly found deceased at the scene.

The emergency response began shortly after one o'clock. South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called at 13:18 BST to reports of an explosion on Clifton Mount.

A total of three fire engines from Rotherham and Tankersley fire stations were sent to the scene, working alongside partner agencies to secure the area and make it safe.

Officers immediately placed a cordon across Clifton Mount to allow emergency teams to carry out their essential work. That cordon has now been lifted, and the road has since been reopened to the public.

The blast caused sudden disruption for those living nearby. Local resident Craig Cockram, who lives in a three-storey block of flats on Clifton Mount, described hearing the noise roughly half an hour before police arrived at his door.

He explained that he heard a bang that sounded "as if there was a shooting" before officers informed him they were evacuating occupants from the three-storey building. Speaking about the incident, he said: "I'm just shocked, bemused. I can't believe what's happened."

Gas network distributor Cadent Gas was called in to support the emergency services on site. A spokesperson for Cadent Gas said: "First and foremost, our thoughts go out to the loved ones of the individual who has lost their life in tragic circumstances. Cadent's role on site has been to support the emergency services as best we possibly can, and we will continue to do that."

Cadent Gas also clarified a key detail regarding the infrastructure, confirming that the explosion was "not an issue related to our gas network".

What we do not know yet is what caused the blast in the first place. The exact cause remains under active investigation, though a police spokesperson sought to reassure local residents, adding: "Initial enquiries indicate that there is no risk to the wider community."

Investigators will continue their work to establish the full circumstances behind the incident. I'll be following this one — check back for updates as more information is confirmed.