Essex explosion: Pet dog found alive after homes flattened by blast

Carryad the border collie, who survived a gas explosion at her home in Clacton (PA)

A dog feared dead after a suspected gas explosion destroyed two homes and injured at least 10 people has been found alive.

Fire rescue labrador Reqs found four-year-old border collie Carryad amongst the rubble of her home in Clacton - after fire workers inspecting the site heard whimpering noises.

The blast happened in Cloes Lane, Clacton, on Wednesday.

Nikki Harvey, from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue, told Sky News: "Reqs was immediately alerted and bolted over to where the noise was coming. As we cleared the debris, out popped her head.

"She was at the bottom of the garden and had been sheltered by trees and other debris. She was frightened, so she was coaxed out with some dog food."

Carryad walked out of the rubble with only a small cut to her leg, and was swiftly reunited with her family.

She was taken to a vet for a health assessment, where surgeons confirmed she had not suffered any serious injuries.

A man in his 70s and a woman in her 50s were badly burnt in the fire that followed the initial blast, but are both now in a "stable" condition at Broomfield Hospital.

The fire service said it was "extremely fortunate" that no-one had been killed.

Firefighters believe a domestic gas fault is likely to have caused the explosion, but an investigation into the exact cause is under way.