Pictured: Hero 'neighbour' who leapt from his bed to save 'gas blast' victim, 65, after her bungalow exploded while she was inside

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The elderly victim of a suspected gas explosion has been left burnt 'head to foot' after her bungalow was blown to pieces.

Marilyn Rice, 65, was brushing her teeth when the blast devastated her home in Buckfastleigh, Devon, on Saturday morning.

Her neighbour Jake Huntley, 27, leapt out of bed and ran to the scene just before 8am, where he found the pensioner's 'skin was smoking' and rushed her to safety. 

She was airlifted to hospital with serious burns while another was treated for minor injuries. Mrs Rice's sister Rene Teague said she was burnt 'head to foot' but was responding well to treatment. 

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, but officials say there is no evidence of any mains gas leak.  

Aerial images of a bungalow in Buckfastleigh, Devon show how it has been totally destroyed, with bricks and other debris littering the road and pavement in front after a gas explosion there on Saturday morning 

Ms Teague said: 'That young person who got Marilyn out in time, I'll never thank him enough.'

The victim's neighbour Jake Huntley, 27 (pictured) leapt out of bed and ran to the scene just before 8am, where he found the pensioner's 'skin was smoking'

Mr Huntley, an oil worker, said yesterday: 'I went over to the bungalow not expecting to find anyone alive. But I saw her standing up completely frozen still. 

'I heard this loud hissing and I knew I had to get her out of there. I went to put my arm around her but her she was too hot to touch. It looked like she was trying to say something. 

'She was just in complete shock and I think my touch may have hurt her. Her skin was smoking. 

'Her hair was completely black where it had been scorched off. I don't really remember too much as instinct just kicked in.' 

Two other homes were damaged by the blast, which neighbours claim sounded like a 'plane coming down'.      

Aerial images of the building showed the devastating extent of the blast, with bricks and other debris littering the road. 

Marilyn Rice, 65, was brushing her teeth when the blast devastated her home in Buckfastleigh, Devon, on Saturday morning 

Pauline Manfield, 75, who lives on the street said a passerby took the injured woman into a nearby home for a cup of tea before paramedics arrived.

She said: 'There was just this massive bang. It made the house shake for a good few seconds.

'My husband thought a plane had come down. There was this gust of smoke.

'I went to the window and saw her hair all singed off which I don't understand because there wasn't a fire.

'She normally has blonde hair but mind you she doesn't have much of that left.

'A young man who just so happened to be walking past ran over to help her and took her for a cup of tea at a neighbour's house. She was in her night dress. Apparently she was brushing her teeth at the time.

'The lady who lives next door to her, had her water tank fall on her. I am just so shocked that she is still here and she is still alive.'

Neighbour Tom Hall, who lives 100ft from the blasted property, said the fact that the woman survived was a miracle.

He added: 'I am not sure any of us saw the actual explosion, but it woke most of us up.

'If you have never heard a gas explosion before, you couldn't have guessed what that sound was. It's a bizarre, metallic sound.

'My girlfriend went there and she saw the woman walking out of the property.

'I don't know how she managed to walk out alive to be honest. The force of the impact blew the door opposite open.

'It is absolutely insane. There is significant damage. The house to the right, the joining wall is gone. Luckily the chap was out when it happened.

'There is debris on the road and cars are smashed up. It was quite intense but luckily no one died.'

Investigators are pictured examining the wreckage to determine what caused the explosion in Buckfastleigh, Devon on Saturday 

Mr Hall said residents have been asked by the fire service to stay inside with their windows closed until further notice.

Other locals described hearing a loud bang that left them thinking their windows were going to smash.

One wrote on Facebook: 'A young lad in his 20s had to help the poor lady out from the rubble.

'I watched him with my heart in my mouth. He and a couple of others were real heroes getting neighbours out also.

'I hope someone is now giving him a strong cup of tea and a hug.'

Another added: 'The house shook. I am just round the corner and my garden overlooks the location.

'By the looks of it, the house is in tatters. I just hope everyone is OK.'

Neighbours have crowdfunded more than £1,000 for the people affected by the blast.  

The bungalow was blown almost entirely to pieces after the explosion in Buckfastleigh, which neighbours claimed happened when the pensioner was brushing her teeth 

The elderly resident is in hospital with serious burns and her home has been left destroyed. Neighbours thought a plane had crashed when they heard the deafening bang just before 8am today 

Police and fire services are still investigating the cause of the explosion. 

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said today: 'Enquires remain ongoing to establish the cause of a gas explosion in Bucksfastleigh.

'Emergency services were called at 7.50am on Saturday 23 March to a property in Barn Park, following reports of a gas explosion.

'One female in her 70s sustained burns and was taken to hospital. She remains in hospital in Bristol at this time.

'A second person was treated for minor injuries at the scene. Other nearby residents have been evacuated while the building was being made safe.

'Police and Devon Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently working to establish the cause.

'Anyone with information relating to the incident is asked to contact police on 101 quoting log 216 23/3/19.'

A spokesperson for Wales & West Utilities added: 'We were alerted to reports of an explosion at a property in Barn Park, Buckfastleigh this morning and immediately sent a team of engineers to the scene.

'We are supporting the emergency services as they investigate the cause of the explosion, but can confirm that it was not caused by the mains gas network.

'Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by this incident.'  

The remains of the woman's home are pictured as officers investigate the blast that shocked Buckfastleigh this morning