IT WAS just a week to Christmas, but the headlines in today’s Telegraph told of a major gas explosion in Rossendale.

One council house in Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall, was wrecked by the blast which ripped out the front of the building.

Bernard Bailey, a school caretaker and his son Raymond, 19, had to leap for their lives from their blazing bedroom, on to the lawn to escape.

Seconds later another, just four doors away, was damaged in another explosion and a fireman was injured. Several other houses in the road were shaken by the explosions and residents were told to leave their homes as there were fears of more to follow.

As the fire gutted the Baileys’ kitchen, Raymond jumped through a huge hole blown out in the front of their property.

He said: “My only thought was to get out. I’ve never moved so fast in my life.”

His father, a caretaker at Alder Grange secondary school, who was asleep in the back bedroom, said: “I heard a terrific explosion and I leapt up and got out of the house as fast as I could.”

His wife Haya, who was shopping in town, wept as neighbours told her of the damage.

The properties had been converted to North Sea gas two weeks earlier and workmen were working on a pipeline only yards away.

Scores of firemen fought the fire which followed the blasts and checked properties for structural damage.

Firemen Brian Gill was taken to hospital with cuts and bruises after being hit by a door, flung off its hinges in the second explosion at the home of Elsie Bailey.

He was dragged clear by colleagues.

Later a gas board investigation began as officials sifted through the wreckage looking for clues.

Our font page picture today showed Raymond and Bernard outside their wrecked home.

In other news, 240 elderly people from the Whalley area enjoyed a Christmas party at St Augustine’s School, Billington.

Two special buses were used to take the old people for their treat, with the infirm travelling by car and the housebound taken their traditional Christmas lunch by the WRVS.

Brockhall Hospital catered for the party, which was paid for by gifts from individuals, tradespeople and organisations.

The local brownies and guides made table decorations and sweets and entertainment was provided by the Kitchenaires group from Calderstones Hospital.