A Maghera woman has spoken of her Christmas Day horror after the boiler in her home exploded, leaving both herself and her teenage son injured.

 

 

By Orla McNicholl

orla@derrypost.com

 

The explosion caused extensive damage to the house at Craigadick Park, and  has left the family severely shaken after their miraculous escape.

 

The mother, who does not want to be named, tearfully recalled the momnent she thought her son was dead.

 

“We had just finished our Christmas dinner and went into the living room to relax,” she said. 

 

“I was lying down and so was my son as he was sick.  My husband lit the fire although it hadn’t been lit in a while.  

 

 ”The next thing I remember was hearing a pop at which point my husband got up, then there was just a massive explosion and a huge gush of air.

 

 ”Shrapnel was flying everywhere and the whole room was in darkness, all I could see were the hot ashes all over the floor. I kept shouting for my son and when there was no answer I thought he was dead.”

 

The mother suffered burns to her foot and has had to attend the burns unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

 

Her 18 year-old son also suffered injuries to his nose and ear and was hit on the ankle by shrapnel from the explosion.

 

“I just can’t believe this has happened, it is a Christmas we’ll never forget,” added the woman.

 

“A fireman who has worked in the fire service for twenty six years said he has never seen anything like it.

 

“If there had have been someone out in the hallway at the time of the explosion, they would have been seriously injured or killed as there was metal flying everywhere.”

 

The victim of the explosion has stressed that other home owners should get their boilers checked.

 

“I would just say don’t take it for granted that your boiler is ok, I wouldn’t wish this on anybody.

 

“It’s just scary thinking back on what could have happened.”