Pensioner Jimmy Brown, 70, had just returned from a walk with his dog Bessie when he lit a gas ring to make a cup of tea - and his 500-year-old stone cottage exploded.
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Jimmy Brown was the only person inside the three homes blown apart by the explosion, and the inspector said he was a 'very lucky man'
The spectacular blast on Monday demolished the entire front of his house, hurled masonry 50ft into the air and filled the street with rubble and glass.
But because Jimmy was at the epicentre of the explosion it hurled all the debris away from him and he suffered only minor injuries.
Terrified neighbours rushed from their homes to see the pensioner stepping out over the remains of his house.
Amazingly, he then ventured back into the house to search for his corgi-terrier cross - and emerged through the flames moments later cradling it in his arms.
Pensioner Jimmy Brown, 70, was making a cup of tea when the blast occurred, he escaped unscathed
Witnesses reported a scene "like a Hollywood disaster movie" and said it was a miracle no one had died.
Libby Davis, 21, a waitress who lives 10 doors away, felt her whole house shake in the blast.
She first thought the blast was an earthquake and ran into the street which was already packed with dozens of other worried neighbours.
She said: "Everybody ran into the street because it felt like an earthquake. There must have been about 75 people looking to see what the noise was.
"Cars were crushed and the road was filled with rubble and glass.
"The whole front of the house has just disappeared and what is left is being held up by the two houses on either side.
"It looks like a war zone in a Hollywood movie and we just can't believe that Jimmy walked away with no injuries. His dog was just a little bit singed.
"It is an absolute miracle. It is very neighbourly around here and we will all be making sure he is okay.
"He was right in the middle of the blast and he survived, it is unbelievable."
Housewife Patricia Baker, 54, was in her garden nearby when the explosion happened.
She said: "There was an incredible bang, the whole earth shook and then I saw tonnes of debris rocketing high up into the sky.
"I'm amazed anyone has survived."
The incident occurred shortly after 4.30pm at the junction of St Mary Street and the Horsefair in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, near the location of ongoing gas repairs.
It is believed leak flooded Jimmy's house while he was out and, unknown to him, was a potentially fatal trap awaiting his return.
When he arrived home he filled the kettle with water, took it to the hob, pressed the igniter - triggering the massive blast.
Jimmy's friend Richard Hood, a 38-year-old roofer, dashed back from work after hearing the blast.
He said: "He's had a miraculous escape but he was at the centre of the explosion which protected him from being killed."
Ten fire engines were sent to the blast scene from two counties, including a specialist rescue unit.
Fifteen vehicles were damaged by flying debris and several houses were left "insecure".
A police source said one 70-year-old man had suffered "non-life threatening" injuries and treated at the scene.
A spokesman for Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said several engines and a support unit were sent to the scene. An urban rescue team was also on standby with thermal cameras and sound equipment.
He said: "We received a call at 4.34pm that a house had been completely destroyed by an explosion.
"At this stage we are still investigating the cause and investigating to ensure there is no one else left in the rubble.
"It appears the explosion happened when a man returned home from walking his dog. He has not been seriously injured."
A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said the blast appeared to have been an accident. He said: "It was a gas explosion and appears to have been the mains. The fire service are dealing with this, not the police.
"Nobody was injured but the family dog was a bit scared." A spokeswoman for Wales and West Utilities, formerly Transco and solely responsible for gas distribution in the area, said it was too soon to isolate the cause of the blast.
She said: "At the moment, we don't have any idea what has happened. An emergency crew is at the scene and investigating.
"There is repair work going on the area but I can't give you any details."
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