Pensioner escapes unhurt after gas explosion in Limerick

A woman in her 80s has miraculously escaped serious injury after a suspected gas explosion at her home in County Limerick.

It is believed a gas cylinder exploded in the woman's house at around 9.30am this morning at Cloonaduff, in Patrickswell.

Several units of Limerick's Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene and the woman has been taken to hospital where she is in a stable condition.

The house was destroyed in the explosion, which blew out windows and doors and took slates off the roof.

The front entrance porch of the house was also blown off in the impact.

An elderly woman living in the house is said to have miraculously walked out of the dwelling but has been taken by ambulance to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick suffering from shock.

The scene has been sealed off for a forensic examination and members of the Limerick fire service are carrying out safety checks.