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A pensioner has had a lucky escape after accidentally blowing up his house.

Ronald Cox was trying to clean a glue stain from his kitchen floor using a leading brand of stain remover, reports the Times.

However, after tackling the stain for some time and not getting very far, Mr Cox decided that using a small amount of petrol might do the trick.

Unfortunately the fumes from the petrol made their way to the pilot light in the 75-year-old's boiler, leading to a massive explosion and a home insurance claim.

The blast was so strong that the front window of the property was blown out, the kitchen ceiling was lifted and the house suffered structural damage.

Thankfully, Mr Cox was only slightly confused and not hurt, although he was taken to hospital as a precaution.

A neighbour was first on the scene, extinguishing the fire and calling the emergency services.

"I couldn't believe that Ron was just standing there, especially when I saw the window. He was shocked, very shocked," said David Micheson.

"He was very, very lucky. We are good friends - neighbours help each other out."

Humberside Fire and Rescue, which attended the scene, described Mr Cox as "a lucky man" and warned people that petrol should be kept outside.

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