FAMILIES devastated by a huge gas explosion have been given vital support by the relative of neighbours who lived next to the blast.

Rebecca Thompson, the vice president at the Chartered Institute of Building, has offered free advice and guidance to those affected by the huge blast at the home of Paul Wilmott.

Mr Wilmott, 63, died on the morning of February 19 when a leak at his home, in Springwood, Haxby, sparked the massive blast which reduced his home to rubble.

Mrs Thompson is the niece of the man who lived next door to the site and has since had his home demolished.

She decided to step in to help her family re-design their home and has helped other residents decipher confusing building terms as they struggle to repair their homes.

"My uncle and family were next door to the blast and they walked outside in pyjamas and didn't know anything," said Mrs Thompson, from Wigginton.

"They were only allowed back into the property to get their essential belongings, like passports.

"My cousin was completely traumatised by it. He's only 13 and we talked about re-designing his bedroom and using the latest technology.

"It has got him smiling again and given him a positive outcome."

As well as helping her own family begin to re-build their lives, Mrs Thompson has helped other Springwood residents understand what could happen next.

"I wanted to demystify building terminology and empower the people of Springwood to make their own decisions, " she added.

"They are all dealing with something which wasn't planned.

"I bumped into a neighbour who is completely on her own and bamboozled by all the terminology.

"This is about helping the people of York because it's an incredible situation and so sad.

"The community has lost a friend and a neighbour, and had this disaster."