AN ELDERLY woman was killed today when a gas explosion ripped through her tiny bungalow at Selby.

The blast in the kitchen was so powerful it destroyed the lounge window, sending shards of glass hurtling on to a communal lawn 15 yards away.

The woman was in the kitchen of her terraced council home in Shireburn Grove, off Abbots Road, when the explosion happened.It is understood the woman was in her 90s and had lived there for many years.

She was pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor.

Selby firefighters cut off the gas supply to the mains and ventilated the three-roomed property.

It is believed that the woman, who lived on her own, was trying to light her cooker when the gas exploded.

The sound of the blast alerted neighbours, one of whom ran into the bungalow in a vain attempt to rescue the woman.

Sergeant Mike Stubbs, from Selby police station, praised the actions of the neighbour, who had shown ''great courage'' in entering the bungalow.

Sgt Stubbs said: "Unfortunately, the lady was already dead and there was nothing he could do, but I will be recommending him for some kind of award."

He said there were no suspicious circumstances and the coroner had been informed.

Police cordoned off the communal lawn as well as the bungalow as workmen cleared up splinters of glass which had landed up to 15 yards away, and repaired the shattered front window.

An officer at the scene said it appeared to have been a forceful explosion, following a path from the kitchen straight out through the lounge window.

Gas pipeline operators Transco were brought in immediately to make sure the area was safe, and the Health and Safety Executive were also called in to investigate.

Police said they were unable to release the name of the dead woman because all her relatives had not yet been informed.

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