A STREET was left without gas after a mains pipe in the process of being repaired ignited -- and sent flames shooting 15 feet into the air.

Residents of Markland Street, Lowton, were given a rude awakening at 4am today when they spotted flames shooting upwards from the pavement outside their houses.

At one stage the flames reached roof height and the heat was so intense it melted the back of a car parked on a resident's drive.

Two fire engines from Leigh were sent to the blaze but said they could do little except call for the gas board.

A fire spokesman said: "The gas main had been worked on during the day and for some reason it just ignited. The gas pipe ran alongside electricity and telephone cables so we had to call engineers from all three to come out and shut off supplies.

"The flames lit up the whole street and with the noise as well pretty much the whole street was out watching it."

Firefighters were are the scene for three hours ensuring the area was safe.

Gas engineers managed to shut off the supply which stopped the fire and were still working to repair the pipe on Saturday morning.