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Residents flee flats after blast Residents flee flats after blast
(about 1 hour later)
Twenty residents were forced to flee a sheltered housing complex after an explosion during a power outage. Twenty residents were forced to flee a sheltered housing complex after an explosion during a power cut.
A woman in a flat in High Street, Great Wakering, Essex, accidentally pierced a portable gas canister that caught fire and then exploded on Friday night.A woman in a flat in High Street, Great Wakering, Essex, accidentally pierced a portable gas canister that caught fire and then exploded on Friday night.
Assistant divisional officer Neil Fenwick said people in Shoeburyness and Great Wakering were using other forms of power in an electricity blackout.Assistant divisional officer Neil Fenwick said people in Shoeburyness and Great Wakering were using other forms of power in an electricity blackout.
The incident demonstrates the need to take care in such situations he said.The incident demonstrates the need to take care in such situations he said.
"The resident was using a portable camping gas light which accidentally got pierced and caught fire."The resident was using a portable camping gas light which accidentally got pierced and caught fire.
"The woman ran out to the communal hallway to get a fire extinguisher and whilst she was out in the hallway the gas light exploded in her flat."The woman ran out to the communal hallway to get a fire extinguisher and whilst she was out in the hallway the gas light exploded in her flat.
Building damagedBuilding damaged
"The woman, who is in her eighties, is extremely lucky to have escaped unhurt."The woman, who is in her eighties, is extremely lucky to have escaped unhurt.
"This incident serves as a reminder to take extra care when using candles and other forms of lighting when we experience blackouts and power cuts.""This incident serves as a reminder to take extra care when using candles and other forms of lighting when we experience blackouts and power cuts."
The flat on the first floor of the two-storey building suffered damage to the roof and ceiling, and the window in the kitchen had bowed.The flat on the first floor of the two-storey building suffered damage to the roof and ceiling, and the window in the kitchen had bowed.
A structural engineer was called in to assess the damage caused by the explosion.A structural engineer was called in to assess the damage caused by the explosion.
Ambulance service paramedics treated the woman at the scene and residents were allowed back to their flats later.Ambulance service paramedics treated the woman at the scene and residents were allowed back to their flats later.
Energy has now been restored to thousands of residents in the Shoeburyness area who had been without electric power since Friday evening.Energy has now been restored to thousands of residents in the Shoeburyness area who had been without electric power since Friday evening.
A spokesman for EDF Energy said a cable had been damaged and it had proved difficult to locate.A spokesman for EDF Energy said a cable had been damaged and it had proved difficult to locate.