A GAS blast at a Kingsley home was so powerful it sent residents pouring out on to the streets - and tremors around the surrounding village.

Beech View Road resident Tom Erlis was relaxing with his wife when they heard the explosion.

He said: "It was such a shock. I didn't know what to think at first. It sent me right back to the war days.

"I went outside to see what was happening and several of the neighbours were on the street as well and said they'd phoned an ambulance. I saw Angela (Morris) come out of the property with a gentleman I didn't know.

"His face and neck looked badly burned and you could see the arms of his anorak had melted."

Mr Erlis said they were not allowed to return to their properties for fear of further explosions. He added: "I started walking back to my house and a policeman stopped me and said we couldn't go home yet so we went and stayed at a friends overnight."

Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said she feared her windows were going to shatter after the blast vibrated through her property.

She added: "We've lived here for years and know Vic and Mildred well - it's such a shock. I know Angela doesn't want to ruin their holiday with the news so it may be a couple of weeks before they realise what has happened."

Danny Woodward, a mechanic at Horseshoe Garage, Hollow Lane, said: "I tried to catch the couple's dog when it ran out of the house after the explosion but it was obviously really scared because it bit me as soon I got near."