NEIGHBOURS were only seconds away from a fireball “disaster” when a gas pipe was severed and a wheelie bin set ablaze less than a metre away.

People living in Malvern Avenue, on the Stonemoor Bottoms estate in Padiham, have spoken of their shock after it was revealed that their homes could have been caught up in a massive explosion.

Lancashire’s chief fire officer Peter Holland said the incident “could have been disastrous”.

And police slammed the vandals for the “very serious” incident.

Resident Andy Kiryzewicz, whose house was targeted, said he was still in shock. He said residents could hear and smell gas escaping from the pipe at the side of his home while the wheelie bin burned nearby.

Youths are thought to have been behind the blaze, which was spotted just after 7.30pm on Wednesday, beside Highfield nursing home and nearby houses.

A number of homes had to be evacuated while the scene was made safe.

Initially neighbours believed that the blazing bin had fractured the gas pipe - but police say the pipe had been wrenched clear first before the suspected arson attack.

Mr Holland said: “Thankfully, the fire in Malvern Avenue caused minor damage, when in reality it could have been disastrous.

“The actions of arsonists tie up resources that could be saving lives elsewhere, and they put the lives of both the public and firefighters at risk.”

Mr Kiryzewicz, 26, had just come in from work and his girlfriend Hayley Swierkovski was cooking tea when he noticed something was wrong.

He said: “I went to the top of the stairs and I saw a glow, and I looked out of the window and I could see the bin alight.”

He raced outside to assess the damage before alerting the emergency services, who arrived shortly afterwards from Padiham station.

Mr Kiryzewicz added: “I don’t know how big of a bang it would have made if the pipe had gone up - it would probably have taken half of the house with it.

“I’m still in shock that this is what they have done - it’s like attempted murder. You could smell gas from the top of the close and the firemen were keeping people back. The pipe was hissing and the people from the gas board were called out as well.”

Fellow neighbour Barry Taylor and his wife Rosemary were advised to stay with relatives until the danger from the burst gas main had been contained.

Mr Taylor said: “We thought the fire had done it at first because you could smell gas coming over there.

“They could have blown the whole road up. They don’t realise what they’re doing - they just think it’s a bit of fun but this is endangering people’s lives.”

Sgt Phil Carter, of Burnley Police, said: “The consequences of this incident could have been very serious indeed.”

• Police said a 14-year-old boy has been arrested and is being questioned on suspicion of arson.