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Houses damaged in gas explosion Houses damaged in gas explosion
(about 5 hours later)
Part of a bungalow has been blown away and 12 neighbouring properties damaged in a gas explosion in the village of Mynydd-y-Garreg in Carmarthenshire.Part of a bungalow has been blown away and 12 neighbouring properties damaged in a gas explosion in the village of Mynydd-y-Garreg in Carmarthenshire.
Residents were evacuated to a community hall while the emergency services dealt with the blast at 1245 GMT.Residents were evacuated to a community hall while the emergency services dealt with the blast at 1245 GMT.
No injuries were reported and gas engineers have started an investigation at the scene in Meinciau Road. Norma Dalziel, 51, had just put the washing machine on in the utility room and walked back into the house when the explosion happened.
People living nearby told BBC Wales that they heard a loud bang and felt their houses shake. People living nearby said they heard a loud bang and felt their houses shake.
Nobody was injured in the blast but Mrs Dalziel was badly shocked by the incident.
Gas engineers have started an investigation at the scene in Meinciau Road.
The back of the house looks as if someone has picked it up and scattered it across the garden Neighbour Christopher Williams
Mrs Dalziel's husband John, 53, said: ""She had just put the washing on, turned and walked out," said her husband John, 53.
"As soon as she was back in the main house the whole lot went up with a terrific bang.
"I am amazed she got out of it at all. The building has been demolished and there is a mess all along the street.
Christopher Williams, a 36-year-old security worker, who lives opposite the badly damaged house, explained he was in the shower when he heard the explosion.Christopher Williams, a 36-year-old security worker, who lives opposite the badly damaged house, explained he was in the shower when he heard the explosion.
"I looked out of the window and it was raining debris," he said."I looked out of the window and it was raining debris," he said.
The back of the house looks as if someone has picked it up and scattered it across the garden Neighbour Christopher Williams
"I just ran across to the house and I was the first to go in. There was almost nothing left of the back wall - it's been totally blown out."I just ran across to the house and I was the first to go in. There was almost nothing left of the back wall - it's been totally blown out.
"The amount of damage is unbelievable. The back of the house looks as if someone has picked it up and scattered it across the garden.""The amount of damage is unbelievable. The back of the house looks as if someone has picked it up and scattered it across the garden."
There was one woman in the house and Mr Williams said he helped her to safety. Mr Williams helped Mrs Dalziel to safety.
"If she had been in the bedroom at the time, she would not still be here." John Dalziel was amazed his wife was unscathed by the blast
"If she had been in the bedroom at the time, she would not still be here," he added.
Several houses were evacuated and around 25 people were told to go to a nearby community hall. People have since been allowed to return to their homes and are inspecting damage to roofs and gardens.Several houses were evacuated and around 25 people were told to go to a nearby community hall. People have since been allowed to return to their homes and are inspecting damage to roofs and gardens.
Station commander Nigel Gibbard: "There's been a serious explosion at one of the properties which appears to have come from a leak of gas.Station commander Nigel Gibbard: "There's been a serious explosion at one of the properties which appears to have come from a leak of gas.
"There was one lady in the property at the time and she was uninjured as were the neighbours.""There was one lady in the property at the time and she was uninjured as were the neighbours."
The origin of the explosion - believed to be in a rear utility room of the bungalow - is being investigated.The origin of the explosion - believed to be in a rear utility room of the bungalow - is being investigated.