WOULD-be thieves risked a major town centre explosion by ripping an industrial gas pipe out of a fireplace showroom.

Steve Everett, owner of Canterbury Fireplaces Ltd in Canterbury Street, Blackburn, came back from a two-week holiday in Corfu to find the damage at his property.

National Grid engineers were called and police were alerted by neighbours who disturbed the thieves.

But on arrival, officers were unable to find the offenders.

An angry Mr Everett said: “We came back off holiday all nicely relaxed to find that the pipe had been ripped off the external wall and gas had been leaking all over Canterbury Street.

“We now have 38 gas fireplaces that can’t be switched on until the gas pipe is repaired, and no hot water.

“We could have another copper pipe fitted to get back to normal, but that’s risking this happening all over again.

"Instead we’ve got to wait until a steel pipe is made, which is worth next to nothing in scrap terms, but will cost three times more to install.

“I have no idea how much the bill is going to be from all the escaped gas, or how much it is going to affect business not being able to show customers the working fireplaces.

“But I think we’re taking thousands - probably more than what the holiday cost.”

A steel pipe could take up to a week to arrive and Mr Everett is now in the process of contacting his insurance company over recouping the cost to his business.

He said: “Whoever has done this is absolutely crazy. If they’d have been smoking, the whole of Blackburn town centre could have gone up.

“A warning needs to go out to people to switch off their gas supplies when they go on holiday, and for potential thieves to think about how dangerous it is.”

A National Grid spokeswoman said: “Stealing copper gas pipes is not only illegal but also very dangerous and should never be attempted. Such thefts can result in a gas escape and even a fire or explosion.

“If anyone sees someone attempting to steal copper gas pipes, or smells gas they are urged to immediately contact the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999 and the police."