A WOMAN has been taken to hospital with facial injuries tonight after an explosion, believed to be from a gas leak, in her Suffolk home.

Russell Claydon

A WOMAN has been taken to hospital with facial injuries tonight after a gas explosion in her home.

The drama unfolded at just after 7pm in Newmarket when emergency services were called to a residential property after reports of an explosion.

A middle aged woman, who was the only person in the Laureate Gardens property at the time, was injured in the blast and taken by ambulance to Addenbrookes' Hospital.

An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the explosion, but it is believed to have stemmed from a gas leak.

The property, owned by Kings Forest Housing Association, suffered structural damage in the incident. A representative from the association and a building control officer from Forest Heath District Council were examining the dwelling tonight.

A police spokesman said no-one had to be evacuated from the scene, although it was believed the incident happened in a terraced residential area.

Residents had watched on in horror as the occupant was put into an ambulance by paramedics.

Firefighters initially thought there had been a fire in the property, but masked crews wearing protective suits were stood down once it was established a single blast had occurred.

Transco engineers switched off the gas supply and checked the property over to ensure it was safe.