A MAN was left badly shocked after his van exploded.

The man had driven to Dewsbury Bus Station to use high-pressure cleansing equipment to clean oil and diesel from the station's forecourt.

A generator which powers the equipment was in the back of his van, but when he switched it on at 2.35am today it exploded.

The fire then quickly engulfed his Mercedes Sprinter van and destroyed it.

Station Officer David Price, of Dewsbury fire station, said: "The man was knocked back by the force of the blast and was lucky not to have been hurt.

"But he was extremely shocked and was taken to Dewsbury District Hospital for a check-up."