Digger erupts in flames after hitting a gas main

Two homes had to be evacuated and a road closed after a digger ruptured a gas main and caught fire in Milton Keynes yesterday.

The digger was working on foundations for a house in Shenley Lodge when it struck the mains at around midday.

It is believed the plant also went through the electrical supply, which lit the gas, causing the fire.

Fire crews shut down a road outside the house and evacuated nearby residents as a precaution.

Fire fighters could not put the fire out until the gas supply was cut off to avoid the risk of an explosion.

No one was injured in the accident.