PURE luck was all that prevented someone from being hurt by a gas leak on Monday night after six homes in Calne had external pipes stolen.

Copper pipes were either cut or levered off homes in North Street, Grierson Close, Oxford Road and The Pippin causing gas to escape and a significant risk of explosion.

Fire crews from Calne and Chippenham were called out to North Street at about 3.40am and two crews from Chippenham attended Grierson Close at 6.30am.

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue isolated the gas main and monitored gas levels in adjacent homes until Wales and West Utilities could arrive.

PCSO Mark Cook said: “It was extremely dangerous and it’s very frightening. It is pure luck that nobody has been hurt and we are keen to prevent a tragedy.”

As well as the immediate danger of a gas explosion, some families have been left without heating and expensive repair bills.

Mother of four Joanne Gardner, of North Street, was woken in the early hours.

She said: “We heard a clunking sound and woke up to check the children’s rooms.

“When we opened the shutter we could smell the gas immediately so we evacuated. What got me was what could have happened. People need to be vigilant.”

Mrs Gardner and her family waited in their car for about an hour before it was safe to return.

“It was scary, the children were upset and it was not easy to get them back to bed. My nine-year-old had problems settling. She’s scared it will happen again.”

New pipes on Mrs Gardner’s home have been replaced with reinforced connections.

John McGuire, of The Pippin, was woken by noise from the emergency vehicles at about 6.30am but his home was not targeted.

He said: “It could have been a catastrophe for the people who were doing it and the families.”

A spokesman for Wales & West Utilities, said they sent engineers to Calne as soon as they were notified.

He added: “The engineers made the damaged gas supplies safe, and advised the homeowners to contact a Gas Safe Registered engineer to carry out permanent repairs on the gas pipework, for which they are responsible.”

Anyone with information should call the police, or Wales & West Utilities on 0800 912 2999. If you smell gas you should call 0800 111 999.