INVESTIGATIONS are still going on into the cause of an explosion which destroyed a house in Marsden

Health and Safety Executive inspectors are working with gas pipeline company Transco to find out what caused the blast, which ripped through the house in Towngate last Wednesday.

So far, a fractured gas main has been found outside the house, but officials have not confirmed that this was the cause.

Five people were in the house.

Mrs Amelia Everill, 90, was carried from the debris by Marsden firefighters, who arrived within three minutes.

She was blown from a settee by the blast and the collapsing roof at the front gave her protection.

Her daughter, Gladys Woodhead, 62, grandson Geoffrey Woodhead, 32, and great-granddaughters Ellie, six and Chloe, four, managed to get out.

Mrs Woodhead and Mrs Everill were sent to a special burns unit at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.

Mrs Everill suffered burns to her face and hands and Mrs Woodhead had burns to her hands. Mrs Woodhead has been discharged.

Mrs Everill was today said to be seriously ill, but stable.

Shane Wakefield, HSE investigating inspector, said the on-site examinations had finished.

"We are now doing follow-up investigations, which could take a while," he said.

He refused to confirm that the explosion was caused by gas.

"There is a fractured gas main about one metre from the property. But it is far too early to confirm it was a gas explosion."

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