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Woman left with life-changing burns after gas blast destroys Devon home

Written by on 25/03/2019

A woman has been left with life-changing burns after a gas explosion destroyed a house in a small Devon town.

The woman, who is in her 70s, was airlifted from the property in Buckfastleigh on Saturday morning.

A second person was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

Nearby resident Tom Hall told The Plymouth Herald the people who were in the property are lucky to be alive.

“My girlfriend went there and she saw the woman walking out of the property.

“I don’t know how she managed to walk out alive to be honest. The force of the impact blew the door opposite open.

“It is absolutely insane. There is significant damage. The house to the right, the joining wall is gone. Luckily the chap was out when it happened.

“There is debris on the road and cars are smashed up. It was quite intense but luckily no one died.”

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said some “nearby residents have been evacuated while the building is being made safe”.

“Police and Devon Fire and Rescue Service are currently working to establish the cause,” he added.

A spokesman for Wales & West Utilities said: “”We are supporting the emergency services as they investigate the cause of the explosion, but can confirm that it was not caused by the mains gas network.

“Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by this incident.”

(c) Sky News 2019: Woman left with life-changing burns after gas blast destroys Devon home