Norfolk pub hit by major gas blast

A Norfolk pub has been almost completely destroyed by a gas explosion. The blast ripped through the London Tavern in Coltishall High Street, injuring three Transco gas workers who had been working on a gas leak. It happened just before morning opening time. A fire brigade spokesman said: "The pub was almost destroyed by the explosion. "It was possibly caused by gas and we know people from the gas board were working there, but our investigations are continuing." The manager of a nearby petrol station raised the alarm after hearing a huge bang. He told local newsmen: "I just ran out to see what was happening. I could see there had been an explosion at the pub so I ran back into the filling station and dialled 999. "I just didn't know what had happened. "I thought a lorry might have hit the side of the filling station. "The pub is not completely gone, but nobody will be drinking there again." Pub landlord Stephen Fuller was away from the pub on business at the time.