FORTY homes had to be evacuated after a gas pipe exploded and burst into flames.

The pipe under Pendle Road, Clitheroe, blew up yesterday morning after being damaged by National Grid workmen who were carrying out work on the street.

Staff at a nearby business described hearing a ‘huge boom’ that was ‘like a bomb’ and then feeling their building shaking.

Flames could be seen billowing into the sky until they were extinguished by noon.

Residents, who took refuge in Pendle Court care home, in Hayhurst Street, were allowed back into their homes later in the afternoon.

Noreen Worthington, 53, was busy running her shop WB Furniture when the explosion happened.

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She said: “We were walking across the floor and there was this really loud noise.

“It can only be described as a big boom and the whole building shook.

“It was like a bomb had gone off.

“We all thought, ‘what on earth was that?’ and then we saw the fire outside.

“The flames were about 6ft to 8ft high so I rang the gas board to say there was a fire in the road.

“Soon the firemen came around to get everyone out and the shop was evacuated.”

Pendle Road resident Brenda Thornber, 71, was among those seeking refuge in Pendle Court.

She said: “My husband had been out on a walk and he came back and said ‘have you seen the road is on fire?’

“When I came out to look the firemen were knocking on people’s doors and asking them to come down to the bottom.

“Someone said we could go into Pendle Court, which was nice. If that wasn’t there I don’t know what we would have done.”

Factory boss Duncan Jackson, managing director of County Sales, lost a day’s business because of the explosion.

He said: “The fire brigade came at 10.30am and said the workmen had gone through a gas pipe so we had to get the staff out.

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“It means we had no distribution or deliveries all day, but at the end of the day we have to keep everybody safe.

“All my staff were dotted around all over the place but they all got paid for the day.”

Group manager for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service Steve Morgan said: “We got a call at 9.40am saying there was a fire involving a gas supply.

“We had two fire engines from Clitheroe on the scene and we are now working to find out what caused the blaze.

“There was a multi-agency response to this and we had support from police and the ambulance service, as well as Ribble Valley and Lancashire County councils.

“We had to evacuate homes for a very good reason to make sure everyone was safe.”

A National Grid spokeswoman said: “We understand that a contractor was doing some work to replace electricity cables and accidentally damaged a small gas pipe.

“It was in the centre of the road and we were on site repairing the damaged pipe.

“It was not a major leak and there was no risk to local residents.”

A police spokeswoman said: “Police were called at around 10.20am by the fire service to Pendle Road in Clitheroe following reports of a mains gas leak. 

“Officers assisted the fire service and local authorities with the evacuation of around 40 properties in the area.

“Road closures were in place and members of the public were advised to avoid the area.”