to light an old stove yesterday morning.

Mrs. Gloria Smith was taken to hospital suffering from shock after the gas exploded in her face.

Pub On The Square owner, Mr. Rowland O'Malley said Mrs. Smith had been lucky to escape without injury.

Mr. O'Malley said: "We have two kitchens. The stove in one has not been used for some time. She tried to light it and it ignited the gas coming from the stove.

"She was shocked by the explosion and taken to hospital as a precaution by the Police. I have spoken to her since and she is fine, but she asked to take the day off to get over it.

"It is an unfortunate thing to happen but it could have been worse. She was fortunate not to be hurt.'' Four appliances and 11 men dealt with the incident from St. George and the US Naval Base.

There was no damage to the kitchen and business at the Pub On The Square was unaffected by the explosion.