A gas pipe was ruptured, causing a small explosion and knocking out electricity supplies to homes in White Abbey Road, Bradford, today.

Fire crews were called to the scene this morning to find flames shooting up to eight feet into the air from the pavement.

They cooled the leak until gas engineers arrived to isolate the supply.

White Abbey Road was closed between Denby Street and Gracechurch Street for emergency repairs to the gas leak.

A fire service spokesman said water board workers had previously excavated the site and it was thought an electrical cable beneath the pavement had been damaged. It is believed the gas pipe was ruptured when electricity board engineers reconnected the power. Supplies were disrupted. No-one was hurt.