A MAN was taken to hospital after an 'explosion' in the kitchen of his home.

Firefighters were called to Trimmingham Drive in Brandlesholme at around 6pm after a build of vapour from expanding foam ignited.

The force of the blast threw the 36-year-old into an internal wall.

He, together with a woman and four children, managed to flee the house as crews from Whitefield, Bury and Ramsbottom arrived.

He suffered burns to his right leg and was taken to hospital.

Steve Wilcock, watch manager at Bury Fire Station, said: “It transpired the man was a primary school teacher who had been working on a project using expanding foam, which is very very flammable and it had built up.

“We pinned the heat source down to the oven, which was being used at the time.

“We reported it as an explosion and it blew the man into the internal wall, which caused structural damage.

“The house was heavily smoke logged, we couldn’t have gone in there without breathing apparatus.

“There were still flames remaining although most of it blew itself out.

“There were windows open otherwise the windows would have blown out.”

Mr Wilcock added: “We would remind people to ensure if they are using flammable materials to ensure the area is well ventilated to stop the build of vapour.”

The occupants were taken to hospital for further assessment.

Crews were on the scene until 7.45pm.