![\"John](\"http:\/\/www.competefor.com\/sellafield\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/36\/2025\/01\/John-Dunleavey.jpeg\")
He was at home on New Year\u2019s Eve, when a gas explosion at a nearby property on Hugh Street in Bransty, seriously injured three people and left the property gutted.<\/p>\n
The blast shattered windows, triggered car alarms, and left the street in chaos. Families in nearby homes were evacuated as emergency services worked to secure the area and assist those affected.<\/p>\n
On the scene of gas explosion<\/h3>\n
John said:\u00a0\u201cI don\u2019t live far from the incident, and when the bang went off, I knew it was something serious, I saw a plume of dust and ran down to the scene.\u201d<\/p>\n
When he arrived, John found the street in disarray, with people running around in shock.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first thing I asked was, \u2018Is anyone still inside?\u2019 Nobody knew for sure, so without hesitation, I went in.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cI couldn\u2019t see much at first, but then I spotted an arm moving under the rubble.<\/p>\n
“We started clearing debris and managed to get the man out. He was conscious but clearly in shock.<\/p>\n
After moving the man to safety, John learned that two women were still trapped upstairs. However, the staircase had been destroyed.<\/p>\n
\u201cI shouted to them, asking if they were okay. One of them responded, but there was nothing more I could do until emergency services arrived. I reassured them help was on the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Relying on experience<\/h3>\n
John said his Army background and safety training were key in the situation – but it did bring back some difficult memories from his time in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s instinct. After nearly 28 years in the Army, you\u2019re drilled to act when someone needs help. Nobody gets left behind. I didn\u2019t think twice about going in.<\/p>\n
“I\u2019ve suffered from PTSD. Being in that house triggered some of those feelings, but I focused on the people who needed help.\u201d<\/p>\n
The incident reinforced John\u2019s belief in PPP\u2019s Knowingly Safe 24\/7 ethos.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people stood outside, unsure what to do. It\u2019s about having the confidence to act when it matters most.<\/p>\n
“PPP\u2019s Knowingly Safe 24\/7 culture is all about that, knowing your surroundings, having the courage to care and looking out for others.\u201d<\/p>\n
John\u2019s actions made a life saving difference, showing the true meaning of Knowingly Safe 24\/7, protecting others both insides, and outside, of work.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
An SHE advisor on the Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP) was one of the first on the scene following a recent gas explosion which rocked a home in Whitehaven. John Dunleavey, an SHE Advisor for Severfield, part of our supply chain, credits his military background and PPP safety training for helping him<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1341,"featured_media":858,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[66,61,57],"class_list":["post-857","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest-news","tag-gas-explosion","tag-knowingly-safe","tag-ppp"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n