Gas explosion wrecked buildings. One woman was killed and several people were injured when a gas explosion completely wrecked two houses at Southend today, Tuesday. At scene which resembled a wartime bomb incident, fireman, helped by heavy rescue squads fought to get the casualties out and put out the fire, which followed. The cause of the explosion is still a mystery. Photo shows, the scene of devastation after the explosion at Southend today (Tuesday). Rescue workers searched the shattered masonry for trapped occupants. 25 February 1947