Wisbech: Explosion Destroys Bungalow

12 March 2012, 16:29 | Updated: 12 March 2012, 16:44

An explosion that destroyed a bungalow in Wisbech is being blamed on metal thieves who stole gas pipes.

Fire crews were called to the bungalow in St Leonards Road in Leverington at 1:05am today (Monday).

The property was being renovated and nobody was inside at the time.

A fire investigation revealed the explosion was most likely to have been caused when the theft of the pipes resulted in a small gas leak.

Inspector Robin Sissons said: "This incident shows how dangerous stealing copper pipes from homes can be.

This caused an explosion which obliterated the house and it is only sheer luck that the offenders responsible, or the people living nearby, were not killed or seriously injured in the blast.

I would also urge people who have properties under renovation to shut off their gas supply when the home is unoccupied."

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.