A NEIGHBOUR who helped a 92-year woman in the aftermath of a gas explosion at her Bradford home has said it is a “blessing” she survived the blast.

Nina Zdan was cooking in her kitchen on Dorset Street, Little Horton, when the gas oven exploded and blew her off her feet.

Despite significant structural damage to the house, Mrs Zdan only suffered singed hair and slight burns to her face and hands.

Fire crews described her escape from the incident, which occurred just before 9pm on Saturday, as “exceptionally lucky”.

Her neighbour Suheeb Afzal (pictured), a contractor for the NHS in Leeds, said he had been upstairs praying when he heard a “huge bang”.

“I went outside and could see the door hanging off,” he said.

“The whole window was gone too and the house was just in disarray.

“You don’t think about any dangers at that point, I just thought she’s there, and she needs my help.

“She was complaining her face was burning, but she was still standing, even though the blast was so strong it ripped out part of the house.

“She was really lucky, but she’s a strong woman, really tough. I don’t think what I did was heroic, it’s just a blessing that she is okay.”

Mrs Zdan’s daughter, Helen Hasioszyn, and her husband Ray, who both live in London, were at the house yesterday waiting for the damage to be assessed.

They said Mrs Zdan iswas still in hospital but iswas due to get the all-clear to be released.“How she managed to survive, I don’t know,” said Mr Hasioszyn.

“She’s 92, and obviously very traumatised. She’s burnt her face and hands, but they are only superficial.

“There’s been quite a bit of structural damage to the house, the walls and ceilings are cracked.

“It must have been a hell of a bang, but she’s okay, and that’s the main thing.”