POLICE forced their way into a house after being alerted to a smell of gas and discovered all the gas rings on the cooker had been left on.

Officers said the semi-detached house in Warwick Close, Cepen Park South, was filled to the rafters with gas and a single spark could have caused an explosion.

Sergeant Phil Connor, of the Chippenham neighbourhood policing team, said: "The gas engineer said the build-up of gas was highly dangerous.

"It had permeated the roof space and even the flick of a light switch could have destroyed both houses."

A spokesman for Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Police requested us to attend at 6.37pm. One crew from Chippenham was in attendance at 6.52pm. We made the scene safe and left at 7.26pm."

A woman living behind the house, on Sandown Drive, said: "Gosh that is unnerving, we could have gone flying."

Another neighbour said: "Even knocking the door in could have set off a spark."

Immediate neighbours were not available for comment.

n Gary Dean Roberts, 45, of Warwick Close, has been charged with attempted arson with intent to endanger life.

He was remanded in custody by Swindon magistrates and is due before Swindon Crown Court on July 15.