A group of teenagers fled in horror as an explosion tore through a Shropshire flat.

One of the group suffered burns in the blast which happened as they were measuring out petrol.

The youngsters were in the kitchen of a first-floor flat in Telford while one of them was smoking yesterday.

The cigarette ignited petrol vapours, causing the explosion.

The teenagers fled, slamming the kitchen door behind them and trapping a pet dog inside.

Fire crews called to the scene at about 10.30pm found the youths wandering around dazed and singed outside.

They got into the flat at Farm Lodge Grove, Malinslee, to rescue the dog and put out a fire in the kitchen where spilled petrol had been ignited.

Ben Gillespie, Telford Central fire station watch manager, said one of the youths suffered 25 per cent burns to his arms and was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital, Telford.

“I think they had been decanting out petrol for their mopeds while one of them was smoking,” he said.

“They were very reckless indeed. It was a serious incident but they were very lucky. It could have been much worse. They could have been killed and other residents could have been harmed as well.

“Petrol should never be handled indoors and you should never smoke near it.”

Suzie Fothergill, West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman, said an ambulance and a rapid response unit were sent to the scene at about 10.30pm.

She said: “We took one male, believed to be aged about 17, to the PRH for assessment and treatment.”