A CREDITON pensioner had a lucky escape after a fire in a fuse board in her home caused an explosion.

A family member explained that her mother could have been seriously injured if she had been in the hallway of the Winswood property.

She explained: “The doors to the hallway were blown off and the glass in the doors shattered by the explosion.

“When my mother opened the under stairs cupboard she could see flames.

“She immediately shut the door and got out of the house and phoned the fire brigade which was the right thing to do.”

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to the fire at about 4.30pm.

The Crediton fire crew was the first on the scene followed by two from Danes Castle, Exeter.

Crediton Watch Manager Neil Hargreaves, speaking from the scene at 7pm, said: “On arrival we found the fire in a fuse board and that all persons were out of the property.

“To put out the blaze we used four sets of breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets and one safety jet.

“After putting out the fire we used positive pressure ventilation to clear the property of smoke.

“The damage has been limited to the hallway and cupboard with the rest of the property unscathed except for smoke damage.

“Danes Castle have now left the scene but we are remaining while Western Power work to isolate the supply from the property.

After that we can then check the property for hotspots.”

The family member continued: “Western Power have explained that to isolate the property they will need to use a mini-digger to dig up the cable in the garden, then cut the supply to make it safe in the house.

“We think that this could take some time.”

The family member added that some personal items in the hallway had been destroyed by the fire.

Access to Winswood from Park Road is currently blocked by the fire engine and motorists should use an alternative route through Barnfield.

• Further updates as we have them.