THE publication of a report into how a city house exploded in a massive blast has been delayed by more than a month.

The findings from an investigation into the incident at Antonine Crescent, in the Redhills area of the city, were due to be published at the end of last month but are not now expected to be released until October.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) document is expected to reveal whether or not the blast, which happened on Thursday, May 6, was caused by a faulty gas main outside the property.

As previously reported in the Echo, blast victims Wayne Moore, 37, and his mother Irene Stoneman miraculously escaped with their lives despite being blown out of the house by the blast and left with severe burns. The pair, who shared the house with Wayne's sister Wendy, 34, told the Echo they were 'lucky to be alive'.

The family lost all their belongings in the blast and have since been living in temporary accommodation.

The Echo was told last month that HSE investigators looking into the incident were in the advanced stages of their enquiries and would publish their report within a few weeks.

A spokesman for the HSE has now told the Echo that they are still looking at technical aspects of the investigation and will not reveal their findings until next month.

Gas company Wales and West Utilities ripped up the gas mains throughout Antonine Crescent after the blast.

They told residents the replacement of pipes was only a precautionary measure, but the move prompted homeowners in the street to speculate whether there had been a problem with the mains pipework.

Sections of the mains were sent away for forensic examination as part of the investigation into the blast.

Mr Moore, a catering manager at the Woodbury Park Hotel, near Exeter, said: "We're awaiting the results. Until then we won't know the full cause of the blast.

"It's been several months since the explosion now and we're looking forward to having the outcome so we can move on with our lives."

"The HSE have been in regular contact with the family throughout the investigation to keep them up to date."