A FAMILY of five today told how they cheated death when a gas blast ripped through their York home on Christmas Day.

The explosion, at the O'Connors' home in Spalding Avenue, Clifton, smashed windows and blew doors off their hinges, but luckily the family escaped with just minor injuries.

John O'Connor, his four-months-pregnant wife, Melanie, both 34, their 17-month-old son Tyler, daughter Kimberley, eight, and son Peter, 15, were sitting in their front room at about 2.30pm, having just finished their Christmas dinner, when a build-up of gas, thought to have come from their back boiler, triggered the blast.

John was sitting just inches away from the gas fire, which sits in front of the boiler, and was cradling baby Tyler.

He said today: "I was just sitting there and the next thing I knew, 'boom!' and the thing exploded. I got hold of Tyler and I just threw him across the room to get him out of the way.

"Peter then just grabbed hold of him and ran out shouting for help. We were all just in a state of shock."

Dazed by the huge blast, the family ran into the street where shocked neighbours had rushed from their homes after hearing the explosion.

Mrs O'Connor, who suffered slight burns to her leg, Tyler and Kimberley were taken to York District Hospital by ambulance, suffering from shock and slight burns.

Mr O'Connor was too stunned to accept the offer of medical treatment at first, but went to the hospital later to be treated for burns to his arm. He said: "We are all lucky to be alive. The firefighters told us that if the kitchen door had not been open none of us would be here."

It is thought the fact the door was open lessened the strength of the blast.

Mrs O'Connor added: "We have just all been in a state of shock since it happened and I keep breaking down in tears. I think we have just been so lucky. It is certainly one Christmas we won't ever forget."

Updated: 11:10 Thursday, December 27, 2001