A GWENT pensioner, badly burned in a gas explosion on Friday, was in a "critical condition" today.

Trevor Ridout, 73, was rescued from his home in Bryn Dolwen Road, Bedwas, following the explosion.

Mr Ridout was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, where he had emergency surgery. He was transferred to the specialist burns unit at Morriston hospital, Swansea, on Saturday.

Mr Ridout's neighbours praised the actions of the two brothers who rescued him from his home on Friday.

Sion and Darren Gibbs were near the house at noon when they heard a loud thud.

Sion, 20, a B&Q worker, also of Bryn Dolwen, said: "When I got to the house there was debris everywhere, I kicked the door down. There were flames everywhere, Trevor was breathing but he was in shock."

Fire service experts and Transco are investigating the cause of the blast.