World famous oboe player Jimmy Brown has miraculously escaped with his life after a huge gas explosion ripped through his home.
Malmesbury town centre was rocked by the enormous blast, which occured at about 4.30pm on Monday.
Mr Brown, 77, had returned to his Horsefair home with his dog Bessie and had lit a gas ring to put his kettle on.
Unfortunately, the pensioner has no sense of smell, so was unaware of any gas leak.
Terrified neighbours came pouring from their houses after hearing the enormous blast.
Incredibly, with rubble and debris lying around him and nothing of his house left, Mr Brown was able to walk away.
Firefighters said his life was saved because he was at the epicentre of the blast, so all the debris was thrown away from him.
Neighbour Paul Humphreys, 63, of the Horsefair, said: "I was standing at the end of my garden and I heard this enormous, really shocking boom.
"There was all this debris in the air coming this way and, immediately, I took shelter behind the trees.
"I came outside to see what was happening and it was then I could see the house start to catch fire inside and, just in time, the fire brigade came along.
"I had no way of knowing if Jimmy had been in the house or not, then suddenly I saw him walking over the debris and he somehow seemed okay."
Rachel McAdam, 44, of Bartons Close, said: "There was this terrific boom and I felt everything shake and I could see wood flying everywhere and bits of window frame in the sky like a fountain."
Malmesbury's First Responder Ollie Dalton was on the scene within seconds.
"I heard the explosion and initially thought it might have been a car accident," he said.
"I went out and saw debris in the street, so I grabbed my medical equipment and started to go towards the scene.
"I saw the gentleman who owns the house was standing outside. I guided him away from the scene.
"He is very lucky to be alive. I initially didn't realise he was in the house - I thought he must have been a bystander."
Mr Brown was taken to Great Western Hospital, before being moved to Frenchay in Bristol to be treated for his minor burns.
His dog was taken to the George Veterinary Group, where he is being looked after.
Damage was sustained to neighbouring properties, and nearby residents were initially evacuated from their homes, although they had begun to filter back in by darkness.
