AN ELDERLY woman was taken to hospital with facial burns after a cooker exploded at a house in Beeston.
Notts Fire and Rescue were called to the house in Salisbury Street at about 9.30am on Saturday morning.
The woman, who has been named locally as Edith Dodson, was led to safety by firefighters when they got to the house.
It was not believed she had life-threatening injuries.
The road was cordoned off to traffic on Saturday and police prevented anyone from walking along a small stretch outside the house.
Although the property did not look fire-damaged from the outside, a large piece of supporting wood could be seen in a doorway and all the windows were wide open.
Specialists travelled from Lincoln on Saturday to provide more support for the house to ensure it was structurally sound.
A neighbouring property was evacuated as a precaution.
Andy Lindley, station manager at Carlton fire station, said: "An elderly woman suffered burns to her face and was transported to hospital.
"Initial thoughts were that it was not life threatening. She was the only person in the house at the time."
A fire investigation established that the fire was accidental.
A spokeswoman from Notts Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that the cooker had exploded. It is believed that the gas had been left on for too long before it was ignited.
She added there were no suspicious circumstances and confirmed that by the time crews left the building on Saturday they were confident it was structurally sound.
Neighbours said she had lived there for some time and spoke highly of her.
Edward Bath, 86, who lives across the road, said: "She's such a nice lady, I'm concerned. I can't visit her in hospital because I can't walk far. We're hoping she will be OK."
And Vivienne Warner, who also lives in the street, said: "I didn't hear anything at all. She's a very nice lady, I know her to talk to."
Many nearby residents said they did not hear anything on Saturday morning – most said the first they knew of the accident was seeing fire engines in the road.
One woman, who asked not to be named, said: "I never heard a bang at the time. It's horrendous. She's a lovely, lovely lady – full of life, always going up the high street shopping."
Notts Fire and Rescue Service sent two fire engines to the scene as well as a specialist rescue team and fire investigation officers. Police were also in attendance.
