MYSTERY surrounds the cause of an explosion which tore apart a home in Toothill.

Police and fire teams are investigating the blast in Stamford Close, which left one man needing hospital treatment for burns.

The man is believed to be 44-year-old Anthony Lowe who had a lucky escape and was taken to the Great Western Hospital with superficial burns.

Hero of the hour was neighbour Scott Somerville who raised the alarm to residents and guided them away from the blaze to safety.

The explosion completely destroyed the flat, leaving a bare, burned out shell in its place, and the residents of 11 other properties to be evacuated from their homes in the freezing temperatures.

Scott, a doorman and store detective, said that he came home from work at about 6am and had dozed off when he first heard a noise at about 7am.

"I ran down the stairs to have a look and the whole building was non-existent," he said.

"I went back inside and called the fire bridge and woke my fiancee Lisa, and everyone in the block heard me shouting.

"It was just natural instinct. I just wanted everyone out safely."

Some early reports told of a man running away from the flats and a white car was seen speeding away around the same time as the explosion.

But police are keeping an open mind, although they are keen to speak to the people involved and have appealed for them to come forward.

Insp Duncan Mason said: "At this time there is no connection but if someone has driven away at speed we want to know who they are and why they did it.

"We are also investigating reports of someone seen running away and we don't know who that is.

"We will explore all the possibilities, with gas being one of them."

In the initial aftermath of the blast, fire crews were on the scene making it safe and tackling the fire.

Incident commander and Swindon area manager for Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, Mark Gaskarth, said: "The cause of the fire is not known at this time, there are a number of things which could have caused it.

"It was a severe localised pressure blast which caused the walls and ceiling to be removed.

"It is possible in those circumstances for someone to be burned but not seriously injured.

"At first sight it seems there was an explosion which led to the fire."

Those living in properties immediately next to the flat are unlikely to be able to return before New Year, but those living towards the ends of the row should be able to move back into their homes within a few days.

And while offers of temporary accommodation have been made, all those evacuated have made plans with family members.

Phillip Woodward, Swindon Council's civil protection manager, was leading the council's response which included securing the buildings, making alternative accommodation arrange- ments for those evacuated from the 12 flats and establishing a reception and rest centre at the nearby Link Centre.

"We have got the details of those evacuated and they have been offered temporary accommodation, though no one's taken that offer at the moment," he said.

"Once the fire and police have done their work, our building control officer will see what needs to be done to make it safe."

Anyone with information about the explosion should contact Swindon police at Gablecross police station on 0845 408 7000.