A woman told how she is lucky to be alive after her car exploded in the B&Q car park at Fossetts Park, Southend.

Sharon Druitt, 51, who lives in Southend, walked away from her destroyed Ford Focus after it blow up due to a build-up of gases from an aerosol can which was ignited by a lit cigarette.

Ms Druitt fortunately escaped the incident in one piece. However she received burns to her arms, both her eardrums burst - and her eyebrows were singed.

She said: “I must have had a shield around me because I am still alive. I do not know how I came away from it. Even the nurses are amazed that I wasn’t more badly injured.”

Ms Druitt arrived at the B&Q car park on Wednesday before she went to visit the graves of her adopted parents as it was her father’s birthday.

Inside the DIY store, she bought an aerosol can of air freshener, sandpaper and a roll of duct tape. Ms Druitt placed the goods in the back of her car.

She then turned on the engine and as she lit a cigarette while inside there was a huge explosion which destroyed the car.

A stunned Ms Druitt managed to get out but, while in a state of shock, she attempted to get back in.

She said: “I was trying to get back in because I had my identification, my bank cards and money in there. I did not realise what I was doing or saying.

“All I was thinking about was getting back into my car to retrieve my stuff.”

The cause of the explosion was deemed to be accidental by the Essex fire service.

A spokesperson for B&Q said: “We were extremely sorry to hear about this incident and wish the customer a quick recovery. We understand the product was purchased at the B&Q Southend store.

“Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed their fire investigation found no evidence of a leakage.”

Ms Druitt was discharged from Southend Hospital yesterday.