A BABY boy was taken to hospital in a serious condition yesterday after a huge explosion rocked a Fareham house.

Four-month-old Robin Metcalfe was treated for burns to his face, airway, and upper body at the Queen Alexandra Hospital, in Cosham, near Portsmouth.

He was accompanied by his father, Andrew Metcalfe, who received minor injuries and was badly shaken.

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the blast in Westfield Avenue, Fareham, shorly after 2pm.The house suffered considerable structural damage in the incident, which is believed to be related to a solid fuel boiler that was lit shortly before the explosion.

But Transco engineers at the scene have ruled out gas as the cause.A neighbour said: "We were at the back of our house when we heard what sounded like an explosion or a bang.

"I did not take an awful lot of notice but then suddenly there were ambulances and the fire brigade outside.

"You could not really tell which direction the bang came from although it was quite loud and it was difficult to tell whether it was an explosive bang or a gun shot."

An examination of the house was being arranged by a building inspector and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

Baby Robin was back at home this morning after being kept in hospital for observation.

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