Thieves have been blamed for causing a gas leak in a vacant house which led to the evacuation of 30 homes.

The crooks ripped a radiator from the wall of the property, in Elizabeth Road, Laindon, which caused a gas pipe to rupture.

More than 60 residents had to be evacuated from the street when the gas leak threatened to cause a serious explosion, at about 5.30pm, on Monday.

Nigel Dilley, the fire service's assistant divisional officer, said the thieves were lucky to escape with their lives.

Residents were allowed back into their homes at about 8.30pm, the same day, once the gas board had stopped the leak.

Mr Dilley said it was lucky passers-by had been walking past, smelled gas and notified the authorities who moved quickly to fix it.

Resident Debbie D'Olivera, 32, had been at home with her family when a firefighter asked her to evacuate the building.

She said: "I've got four kids aged between 11 months and 11 years and my dad who is on oxygen.

"We had to go to my brother's house seven blocks up.

"I left my mobile phone number with the police and they called when we were allowed to come back."