Fridge saves lucky UK woman from gas blast that flattened her home

A British woman survived a massive gas explosion that destroyed her home after a fridge fell on top of her and protected her from terrible injuries.

CCTV of the blast shows Susan Shepherd's Sunderland house literally blown to smithereens on Friday night (AEDT).

Ms Shepard's sister explained in a Facebook post how the middle-aged woman was pulled alive from the rubble.

"The fridge fell on top of her and saved her life, she's absolutely fine under the circumstances, she's got minor burns to her back, face and arms and her hip might need stitching," Tracy Tia Judson wrote on Facebook.

A series of remarkable photographs Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) posted to its Facebook page shows the extent of the damage caused by the explosion.

Ms Shepherd's neighbour's home was also devastated by the blast.

Sean Hughes told the BBC he heard the gas explosion more than a 1.5km away.

"I saw the window move and the house shook," Hughes said.

TWFRS Assistant Chief Fire Officer John Baines said on arrival his crews were faced with a woman trapped in a collapsed and unstable structure.

"Firefighters acted quickly to rescue the resident, in difficult and dangerous conditions," Baines said.

Police confirmed the blast was caused by a gas explosion.