Fire fighters have issued a warning after so much gas leaked from one man’s flat an engineer found it was in the ‘explosive range’.

The fire brigade were called to a block of flats in Searles Close, Battersea, at midday on Friday. Gas had been leaking in the flat of an elderly man.

One fire fighter who was called out said: “Residents had been saying they had smelt gas for three days. The National Grid engineer that was called out said it was the worst one he had come across.

“It was all averted. But for quite a number of residents to say they have been smelling gas for a number of days – it really was a close one.”

A spokesman for National Grid said they were called to a suspected gas escape and found low-level gas readings coming from a flat.

He said: "We gained access and a gas appliance had been left on. We made made safe and ventilated the property. The resident was taken to hospital for a check up. Appropriate advice was given."

People should always ensure gas appliances are used correctly and switched off when not in use.
If you smell gas or have concerns about gas safety call 0800 111 999.

An operator will ask you a series of questions and issue advice such as opening doors and windows, turning off the gas and avoiding flames and electrical switches.