Door blown off after gas canister explodes in house fire (From Your Local Guardian)

Door blown off after gas cylinder explodes in East Croydon house fire

9:51am Sunday 12th February 2012 in News By Matt Watts

An out-of-control gas canister smashed the back door off a house after it exploded during a fire in East Croydon this morning.

A camping gas canister also caused extensive damage after flying into the ceiling of a property in Oval Road following the fire in the kitchen.

It is understood a fire started after a malfunction in a fridge.

It spread to a group of aerosol-sized canisters being stored next to it.

At least one canister exploded after heating up.

The back door was blown 10m into the garden when it was struck by one of the canisters.

Fire investigators are looking into the incident, which took place at about 12.30am.

A couple, who had been watching TV in the adjacent room, ran to safety after being alerted by the blast.

A spokesman for Croydon fire station said the explosion had been heard by neighbours at least 10 houses away.

He said: "Luckily no one was in the room when the explosion took place. If they had been hit, they most probably wouldn't be with us anymore."

Structural engineers were called to the property and confirmed it was safe following the incident.

The fire. which was contained to the kitchen, was put out by London Fire Brigade.