Blast survivor is "lucky bloke"

7:33am Sunday 16th March 2008

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A pensioner is in hospital after surviving an explosion at his home in Bexleyheath.

Despite having serious burns on his hands and legs Donald Ross came out of his flaming garage and moved his wife's car which was parked on the drive.

The 75-year-old man was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, on Saturday and has now been moved to the burns unit at Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead.

His son Dave Ross said: "He seems alright in himself.

"He does not really let things get to him - he is that sort of person.

"I could not believe he has only got burns to his hands and legs.

"He was a lucky bloke."

It is not yet known what caused the explosion in his garage in Heathside Avenue at around 9.55am.

Firefighters from Bexley and Erith tackled the resulting blaze which destroyed the man's garage and utility room.

At first a nearby neighbour thought the bang he heard was because of a road accident.

He said: "I came out and saw the garage and my first concern was to see if my neighbour was alright.

"I got Don out, who was badly burned and then I phoned for the fire brigade."

Another one of his neighbours, Eric Kempson, ran across the road to see if he could help after hearing loud bangs.

Mr Kempson, 66, said: "My missus said Don's garage is on fire' and all I could see was a big ball of flames.

"There was nothing I could do because it was already being dealt with by the fire brigade.

"When he came out he got his wife's motor and drove it away from the garage and so there is all blood on the steering wheel and gear stick."