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Man found dead after explosion on Clifton Mount, Rotherham

A man was found dead after an explosion on a Rotherham street on Tuesday 29 September. Police and the fire service are working to confirm the cause, and police say there is no risk to the wider community.

4 outlets · 2L · 0C · 2R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from Daily Express.

Image: Metro
Image: Daily Mail
Image: Daily Mirror
Image: Daily Express

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The story, neutrally told

A man was found dead after an explosion on Clifton Mount in Rotherham on Tuesday 29 September. South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said crews were called at 1.18pm and three fire engines from Rotherham and Tankersley attended. Locals reported a "massive bang". South Yorkshire Police said a man was "sadly found deceased" and that, with the fire service, it is working to confirm the cause of the explosion.

Police said initial enquiries indicate no risk to the wider community. Clifton Mount was closed and has since reopened. Cadent Gas said its engineers were supporting the emergency services. The Mirror, Mail and Express also quote it as saying the incident was "not an issue related to our gas network". Resident Craig Cockram, who lives in a nearby block of flats, told the BBC he heard a bang "as if there was a shooting" and was evacuated. He said he was "shocked, bemused".

The Mail and Express add that a Tactical Support Group van and eight police vehicles were seen at the scene. The dead man has not been named in the coverage, and the cause of the explosion is unconfirmed.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left2 outlets

Framing
Short, factual reports built around the police, fire service and Cadent statements and one resident's account.
Emphasis
Official statements, the resident's evacuation, and the 'massive bang' heard from miles away.
Leaves out or plays down
Do not mention the Tactical Support Group van, eight police vehicles or the crews' departure time reported by the right-leaning outlets.
Charged language
“huge explosion”“quiet Rotherham street”
For example
“The body of a man has been discovered after an explosion on a row of terraced homes.” — Metro
“Clifton Mount was cordoned off to enable emergency services to carry out their work.” — Daily Mirror

Centre0 outlets

No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Right2 outlets

Framing
Scene-setting reports with a dramatic tone, leading on locals hearing the blast and the police presence.
Emphasis
Bystander reactions (Clifton Park, McDonald's), police vehicles and the Tactical Support Group van.
Leaves out or plays down
The Express omits the fire service's timings and gives the wrong day; the Mail hedges with 'reported explosion' and 'reportedly'.
Charged language
“Absolutely horrifying”“terrified locals”“sounded like a bomb had gone off”
For example
“One local said 'I was walking through Clifton Park, sounded like a bomb had gone off'” — Daily Mail
“Man killed in explosion as terrified locals hear 'massive bang'” — Daily Express