A PENSIONER remains in a critical but stable condition following a gas explosion in a village near Harrogate. The man was rescued from his burning semi-detached home in Finden Gardens at Hampsthwaite, near Harrogate, at about 11.30pm on Tuesday.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said the man, who is in his seventies, suffered burns in the explosion, and remains in Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield. The fire caused fire and smoke damage to the house, and blew out two of the windows and a door. Investigators are still working to determine the cause.