Pensioner Rescued After Corringham Gas Explosion

16 October 2014, 07:40 | Updated: 16 October 2014, 07:43

An 82 year-old woman has been rescued after a gas explosion at her home in south Essex.

Emergency services were called to Giffords Cross Road in Corringham just before 7.20pm yesterday following the blast which blew out a wall and destroyed a conservatory.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service says it appears the explosion was caused by a leak in the gas pipe coming into the building.

12 people were evacuated from two homes either side of the property and the road was closed as a precaution while the gas board made the area safe.

The woman who lived in the house was treated by paramedics for shock but was not injured.

Assistant Divisional Officer Mark Turnbull said: "This was a very substantial gas explosion and the woman has had an extremely lucky escape. A neighbour came in to rescue her after the explosion and thanks to his bravery and quick thinking she is now safely out of the property and being looked after by Ambulance crews.

"We have evacuated around 12 people from two homes either side until the gas board can make the area safe.

"The explosion has caused a great deal of damage and it is incredibly lucky that no one was hurt, or even killed, by this explosion."