Gran 'blown from home in gas blast'

Article date : 03/02/2010

A grandmother survived a devastating explosion from her home after the blast blew her away from the building, it has been revealed - in news which may highlight the importance of having a regular boiler service.

The Sun reports Agnes Taggart, from Glasgow, is believed to have got up in the early hours of the morning and triggered the explosion when she lit a cigarette at the back door.

The blast threw her from where she was standing into her garden, where she was found unconscious by her brother who lives nearby.

Ms Taggart escaped the incident with cuts and bruises.

A neighbour told the newspaper: "Judging by the state of the house, if she'd been in bed when the explosion happened she wouldn't be here today."

Following the explosion, 25 neighbours were evacuated from the site.

While the cause of the blast is not yet known, it is believed a gas cooker had been left on.

The property's boiler had been serviced in September, meaning it is unlikely to have caused the incident.

However, the Sun reported earlier this week ten Britons had to receive emergency treatment in the last year after being injured by exploding boilers.

Such news may highlight the importance of having at least one boiler service a year, performed by a boiler engineer from Gas Safe Register, to ensure the appliances are working safely.

Written by Tony Harrison

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