DETECTIVES are studying CCTV footage in the hunt for cash machine raiders who blew up a post office in Baildon with an improvised gas bomb.

Residents and traders have been able to return to the small parade of shops in Higher Coach Road opposite the entrance to Roberts Park.

But the shop frontage of the Coach Road Post Office and its rear door and windows have been covered with emergency steel shutters after the raid whuch took place at about 4am last Friday when a mix of industrial gas and oxygen is thought to have been piped into the ATM machine and then ignited, devastating the ground floor property.

"When they cleared the damaged doors and windows from the front you could see it was totally wrecked inside," said a trader on the parade, who asked not to be named.

"The huge force blew right through the building, warping the counter and even smashing the bullet proof glass.

"And it blew all the windows and doors out at the back, throwing them right across the yard and covering it with broken glass.

"The poor chap who runs the Post Office has lost all the stock in the shop.

"Ironically he told me the other day that the shop was due for a full refit by the Post Office in about four weeks."

Residents who have returned to live in the flats above the shops told of the dramatic events of Friday.

"The first thing was the sound of something like a drill and I looked out of the window and saw a bloke carrying a power saw and running back to car," said a tenant who asked not to be named.

"Then suddenly there was this huge bang.

"We just grabbed our stuff and then the police were here within a few minutes of it going off.

"They evacuated us and we could see a big black gas cannister lying in the road.

"We've now been allowed back in as there doesn't seem to be any structural damage to the flats.

"But it's terrifying because of what could have happened.

"These people don't know what they're doing with explosions and it could have brought the whole building down."

A Post Office spokesman said it was not yet known when the post office will reopen.

"A full assessment of  the premises would be required to establish the level of damage that has occurred and the extent of the repairs needed before making any plans to  reopen the Post Office.

"An incident of this kind can be very traumatic for the victims and we will be supporting police in their efforts to apprehend those responsible."

Glenaire Fisheries fish and chip shop on the end of the parade escaped without damage, said owner Karl Hughes.

"We remained unscathed and were open for business on Saturday, it was a case of 'keep calm and carry on'.

"But it's very sad for the Post Office people, that's their livelihood.

"Although they were due for a refit in a few weeks, so presumably that will be now be accelerated."

Baildon Off Licence at the other end of the terrace was also undamaged and able to open.

Police have urged anyone with information about the raid to contact Bradford District CID, quoting log *0116 of 29/4 on 101, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, which can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.