Residents are unlikely to return home for some time after a gas explosion ripped through an apartment block.

Families in Appleford Court, in Pitsea are being given temporarily accommodation, following the blast on Monday afternoon. Bosses at Swan Housing Association say families are being offered long term homes.

Heroic neighbours dragged a badly burned man out of his flat after a gas explosion ripped through the apartment block and one man was taken to hospital for burns to his legs.

Now the housing association says it's doing all it can to support the residents.

A spokesman said: "Following the incident on Monday 14 September, Swan Housing Association has been working hard to support residents affected at Appleford Court, Pitsea.

"We supported the emergency services’ immediate response to the incident and worked with them to account for all residents, who were safely evacuated from their homes. Our teams then ensured that all residents who needed alternative accommodation were provided with temporary hotel accommodation from Monday evening, together with emergency support funding.

"All households have been reunited with their pets. As residents are unlikely to be able to return to the block for some time, we are working to secure long-term accommodation for all those affected. Residents began to view alternative properties this week.

"The work of the investigating authorities is underway and in support of this investigation, we have ensured appropriate security arrangements are in place and we have carried out structural assessments of the block. "We would like to thank the emergency services for their swift and exemplary response and we would also like to praise our residents, who have shown great resilience. We have reassured residents that our dedicated teams will continue to support them and they all have details of our specially assigned Neighbourhood Officer, with whom they are in regular contact."