A GAS explosion in a house this morning has left an 87-year-old woman injured.

Fire-fighters were called just after 6.30am to the semi-detached property in Rayfield, Epping.

They managed to get the blaze under control by 7.50am.

The elderly woman was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Nearby residents were also evacuated as a precaution, while the gas board and a structural engineer were called to the property, to isolate the electricity and gas supply.

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