A HUGE gas blast ripped through a Bury pub early today. The Bridge Inn, Manchester Road, Blackford Bridge, was destroyed by the explosion which was heard for miles around. The pub's walls, roof and windows were all wrecked and cars passing at the time of the blast were showered with glass, bricks and debris.

But miraculously, people inside escaped serious injuries.

Three people - landlord Kevin Farrell, his wife Pam and their 11-year-old daughter Stephanie - were taken to Bury General Hospital suffering from shock and cuts but were later allowed home.

They were sleeping upstairs when the blast rocked the pub, but it is understood they escaped through a fire escape.

Emergency services called at 6.30am to be greeted by a scene described by firemen as "utter devastation".

Bury station officer John Pollitt said: "This was a massive explosion and it was a miracle no one was killed.

"If this had happened during opening hours with people in the pub it could have been a real disaster."

Neighbours said they were woken by a "loud boom" and first thought there had been a car smash on Manchester Road.

Eyewitness David Wolfenden, aged 47, told of his terror when his Land Rover was showered with bricks and debris as he drove past the pub at the time of the blast.

He said: "I was driving my Land Rover and pulled up at the lights opposite the pub. I heard a loud explosion which shook the car and then, looking at the pub, I watched as it swelled and then windows and bricks flew everywhere.

"It was almost in slow motion. Debris smashed into my car causing little damage, but I suppose I am very lucky to escape injury."

Panic-stricken Mr Wolfenden, of Haslam Bank Cottage, Haslam Brow, Bury, telephoned his son to tell him to call emergency services.

"I then went back to the pub and saw people moving around," he said.

"The landlady was in her dressing gown. I screamed to her to get out because there was a smell of gas and there was a chance of a second explosion."

Graham Howarth, a pub regular who lives just yards away from the inn, said he was woken by a huge bang.

"It was like a car crashing full speed into a wall," he said. "I threw some clothes on and went to help but the family had already got out and were in the fire engine.

"They looked absolutely stunned but otherwise they were OK. Looking at the state of the pub it's a miracle they got out."

Derek Bond, who had been drinking in the pub last night, added: "I can't believe it. Imagine what would have happened if this had blown up when we were all in there. The main thing though is that they're OK, they've had a lucky escape."

The cause of the blast is not yet known, but there was speculation today that a gas leak in the kitchen could have triggered the explosion.

Fire officers, as well as British Gas, NORWEB officials, structural engineers and insurance assessors were investigating the incident as the BEN went to press.

But the blast was also expected to cause traffic chaos today as football fans headed to watch Bury's crucial clash against Oxford United at Gigg Lane.

Police closed Manchester Road for about a quarter of a mile for several hours and set up diversions.

One Bury FC fan said: "It's always choked with traffic going to the game so goodness knows what it'll be like today."

Other buildings in the area, including Blackford Bridge church and Bury Golf Course gatehouse, were not damaged.

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