Gnawing rodents were to blame for the death of an 80-year-old woman in a massive explosion that flattened her home. They had gnawed through her kitchen pipes, causing a build-up of gas in the room.

Moira Dickson was found dead in the rubble after the blast hit the house she shared with her partner, Joe Cairns, 65, who was left seriously ill in hospital.

An inquest was told that an investigation had shown that rats or mice had chewed their way through the piping, causing a build-up of gas which eventually exploded, reducing the terraced house to a pile of rubble.

Mrs Dickson, a mother of five, died when she was buried under the debris, and Mr Cairns was thrown into the street by the blast, which happened while he was in the kitchen putting the kettle on.

Dozens of homes were evacuated and neighbours told at the time that it “rained tiles, wood and bricks”. The blast happened at the couple’s home in North Shields, North Tyneside, 15 months ago. At the inquest into Mrs Dickson’s death yesterday, a tearful Mr Cairns, who had spent more than a year agonising over the cause of the blast, was assured that he had in no way been responsible.

Michael Bone, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector, said that laboratory tests carried out on the piping had shown rodent damage, although it was impossible to specify whether rats or mice had caused it.

“We found a hole in the pipe which fed the hob and the oven. It was quite a significant size,” he said. After comparing the damage with that shown in photos from the Natural History Museum, it was thought the most likely cause was rodent damage. It’s very difficult to say how long it would have taken to cause the damage.

“I have investigated a lot of explosions in the North East but never come across this before.”

Eric Armstrong, the North Tyneside Coroner, recorded a verdict of accidental death and told Mr Cairns that his partner’s death would have probably been instant. He said that the amount of natural gas in the building created a “perfect explosion”, much like a “perfect storm”.

“The reality is that she would have known little of it,” he said. “There would have been an instant loss of consciousness, or at least awareness. If that is of any comfort to the family, then I offer it for what it is.”

A spokeswoman for North Tyneside council said: “As the coroner has confirmed, this was a tragic accident and our thoughts are with the family at this time. The hearing confirmed that there was nothing more North Tyneside council could have done either as a landlord or in the interest of community health.”

The HSE said that people should not panic about the incident but urged anyone with any concerns to have their piping checked.

A spokeswoman said: “It was a tragic accident but is not an everyday occurrence. People should make sure they get their appliances and pipes checked every year and if they do smell gas, to ring Transco.”

After the inquest on Tuesday, Mr Cairns said: “I thought that’s what it would be. That’s all it was really, an accident. I’m just pleased there was no one else hurt.”

One of Mrs Dickson’s daughters, Dawn, 44, said the idea of rats having such an effect was frightening. She said: “As soon as this happened I thought, this could happen to me. You give it half an hour and there would have been children there.

“There could have been more people dead. That’s no consolation to us because we lost our mother.”

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