Woman burned in blast

An elderly woman suffered burns in a gas explosion at her West Bromwich home today.

Paramedics and fire crews were called to Cambridge Street just after 8.30am.

Watch commander Adrian Cherry, of West Bromwich fire station, said it appeared the woman had left the gas on slightly overnight.

"She has gone to light the cooker and the gas has ignited, resulting in burns to her and partial damage to the kitchen, but not a great deal."

Claire Thomas, of West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "Crews found woman in her 80s with 15 to 18 per cent burns to her head, shoulder, arm and hands. She is likely to need extensive hospital treatment.

"The woman was treated at the scene before she was transferred to Sandwell General Hospital."