Scott Godbold, Annie Davies and Sam Devine-Turner at the get-together held in the Severn Warehouse and Cellars in Shrewsbury.

One of the victims of the Shrewsbury blast said she owed her life to her friend who helped rescue her from the ruins of their collapsed flat.

Sam-Devine Turner, 20, was speaking publicly for the first time since the blast almost a month ago at the corner of Bridge Street and Smithfield Road which destroyed her home.

She said that unless her flatmate Scott Godbold, 23, who was seriously injured in the blast, had returned to save her she probably would have died.

Sam and Scott, together with friend Annie Davies, 19, were together at a fundraising event organised for them at the weekend after they had been treated for burns at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham.

Their other friend and flatmate who was injured in the blast, Scott’s girlfriend Sarah Pearse, 19, was unable to attend the gig on Saturday night at the Severn Warehouse and Cellars because she is still being treated at the hospital.

The three said the whole experience had given them a new perspective on life.

Sam said: “When I woke up in hospital I just felt happy to be alive. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Scott as he came back for me.”

Scott said the incident had been “life changing” for all of them and Annie said it had made her value her family and friends even more.

The friends said they had been “amazed” by the show of support at the fundraiser and paid tribute to organisers Paul Bailey, landlord of the Yorkshire House pub, and Mike Philbin, owner of the nightclub in Howard Street.

It is thought the event raised about £7,000.

Sam said they had lost everything in the blast including their home, clothes and possessions.

“It’s amazing to see all our friends and people we don’t even know here supporting us. It shows how caring people actually are. It’s been overwhelming but in a good way,” she said.

Scott said he had been visiting his girlfriend Sarah every day in hospital as she continues to recover.

He said: “She was disappointed to not be able to come but she was happy for us and she wants to say thanks and sends her love to everyone.”

By Russell Roberts