Pensioner Jimmy Brown has told of his relief that not only he and his beloved dog Bessie made it out alive from the explosion that blew apart his house on Monday, but his life's work survived as well.
The blast ripped through the 78-year-old's home in Horsefair, Malmesbury, just after 4.30pm, and left his historic terraced cottage a smouldering ruin.
Investigators believe it was triggered when he switched his kettle on. It is thought there was a gas leak in the house, but Mr Brown has no sense of smell, so would not have noticed it.
Despite little remaining of his attractive terraced house, the renowned oboist managed to stagger clear of the rubble and flames.
But, suffering minor burns and shock, he went back in to fetch his faithful dog Bessie.
Friends said Mr Brown, who has played with the English Chamber and London Philharmonic Orchestras, was in good spirits yesterday at Salisbury District Hospital.
Friends were hoping he was well enough to come back to Malmesbury last night.
He told friends of his delight that the memoirs he had been writing, which covered 40 years of his life, survived the blast.
Firefighters pulled the remains of his computer from the debris and found the hard drive was still in one piece.
Close family friend Patrick Goldstone, of West Street, said: "Jimmy was very concerned about his memoirs that he had on his computer.
"There was 40 years worth of memoirs he had been writing religiously. The fire brigade were wonderful.
"They were sifting through and found the computer and one of the backup discs. Incredibly, the carriage clock they brought out was also still ticking.
"They should really have been sifting through body parts, so it's amazing luck."
Unfortunately, Mr Brown has lost a collection of musical memorabilia in the explosion.
Mr Brown's ex-wife Sandy, who lives on West Street, has been by his side since the horrific incident.
His son Daniel, who lives in Bath, has generously donated a full wardrobe of clothes for his father from the city's Marks and Spencer store.
Mrs Brown said the musician was recovering very well.
"I don't think he fully understands the state of the place here," she said.
"He knows the cottage has gone, and his son showed him a picture, but he couldn't really comprehend it. I couldn't believe it when I saw the house and heard he'd climbed out. It is just simply incredible."
Emergency services said Mr Brown was saved because he was at the centre of the blast and all the rubble and debris was thrown away from him.
His dog Bessie is recovering well at the George Veterinary Group in High Street, Malmesbury.
Next door neighbour John Nichols, 34, said: "There was this unbelievably loud bang, which shook the side walls of the house.
"I poked my head round the side of Jimmy's house and saw him there in the kitchen. I shouted to him and gave him a tug to get out, which we did, but he then staggered back to get his dog.
"He is a very nice, kind, interesting guy and it's always really nice talking to him."
Mr Nichols and his fiancée Sally Watts, 34, own one of two houses that might need to be pulled down because of the damage sustained.
The couple had only moved into the property about a year ago and had been carrying out work on it. "The building assessors have said it has suffered very serious damage," said Mr Nichols.
"We are in a hotel at the moment, waiting for insurance people to come out and say what we are going to do."
About 15 car owners are also counting the cost. Their vehicles have had to be taken away for repairs, after being hit by debris from the blast.
Other concerned residents could hear within a week what caused the devastating explosion. Speculation about what happened has been rife in Malmesbury since the horrific incident.
A massive operation to replace gas mains in the area was being carried out this month and Wales and West Utilities had been reconnecting homes on the day of the blast.
It is not yet known if the blast had anything to do with that work, or if it was a fault inside Mr Brown's home that led to a gas leak.
Representatives from Wales and West, police, fire brigade, the Health and Safety Executive and North Wiltshire District Council addressed a public meeting on Tuesday at the town hall.
Superintendent Charlie Dibble, of Wiltshire Police, said: "It's too early to speculate as to the cause of the explosion. Gas works were being carried out in the area and representatives of Wales and West are still at the scene helping with the investigation."
Supt Dibble added he hoped the cause would be revealed within a week.
Inspector Mark Levitt added every appliance in Mr Brown's house would be looked at closely.
Wales and West confirmed it had suspended all work in the area until the investigation was complete.
Steve Kent, from the company, assured residents there was no danger in using their gas appliances. "We have done extensive surveys in the area and I can categorically say it is perfectly safe," he said.
Wales and West have set up an office in April's Church, The Triangle, for anyone who would like to speak to them or arrange for an engineer to call at their home.
