A mum and her two children escaped unharmed after a gas explosion blew two doors off their home in Kingsteignton last night.

The trio were just fleeing through the front door of the detached property in Calvados Park when a burning canister in an integral garage - forcing their dramatic evacuation - blew up.

Nearly 20 firefighters tackled the subsequent blaze which caused extensive fire damage to the converted garage and adjoining kitchen. The rest of the property, now uninhabitable, was badly affected by smoke. Many possessions were lost.

The homeless family spent the night in shock, but unhurt, at the home of next-door neighbours.

A fire spokesman said the scenario could have been ‘quite horrendous’ if the escaping family had not quit the property in the nick of time.

Newton Abbot watch manager Phil Scammells said: ‘The family were very lucky. The main thing is the mother did very well to get out with her children - a daughter aged 11 and an 14-year-old son.’

He revealed how the force of the explosion ripped off the entire door frame of one of the fittings.

The mother was said to be quite calm after the event, and hugely relieved that no-one had been injured.

Her daughter was given oxygen as a precaution.

The alarm was raised just before 9pm after the son arrived home from a fishing trip, noticing that his gas lamp in the garage had caught alight.

He alerted the rest of the family - and everyone dashed out of the house just as the canister exploded. The bang was heard by neighbours.

Fire investigation officers took the device away for further examination, although the extent of its damage means it is unlikely to throw up any clues about the cause, which fire chiefs have said was accidental.

The last of the three fire crews who dealt with the incident did not leave the scene till 1.45am today.

Fire investigation officers were returning to the scene this morning.