A MAN has been injured in a gas explosion in Guisborough.

An engineer was left with superficial burns and shock after an explosion tore through a house on the town's Rectory Lane.

It is believed the 59-year-old was working on the house when the incident happened at around 10.55am today (Friday, May 8).

He suffered burns to the arm but was not taken to hospital.

Nobody else was in the semi-detached property at the time of the explosion, which caused severe structural damage.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "The windows were blown out and a conservatory demolished.

“A gas engineer was in the property at the time. He’s suffered superficial burns to his arms.

"A property next door was evacuated and there was no response at the house on the other side."

The gas supply at a neighbouring property was isolated as a result of the incident and Rectory Lane was closed temporarily.

Cleveland Fire Brigade sent two appliances to tackle the explosion.