Stunned residents rushed to woman's aid

Shocked residents tended to Mrs Riggi, who had leapt from her balcony minutes after the explosion.

As police cordoned off the area, some were trapped outside the terrace townhouse complex, unable to return home as first paramedics and later forensic experts swarmed the scene.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "I was in my living room when I heard the explosion. The noise scared me and I was in shock a little bit.

"When I went on to my balcony I could see her crying and lying down."

Another witness said: "I heard some bad screams, she was screaming very badly. Only death or something really really bad would make someone scream like that.

"I ran outside on to my balcony and I saw her on her balcony."

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Omar Barifah, 20, who lives three doors down from the family, described how the building shook as the explosion took place.

"I heard the explosion - it was pretty loud," said the chemical engineering student. "We went out of our home and could see lots of smoke coming out of the building. There was a little bit of debris as well. I had no idea what was happening. It was really frightening.

"I saw the ambulance take a woman out of the flat and speed down the street. She was lying on a stretcher and they put her in the ambulance before going away to the hospital."

On the other side of the canal bridge from the complex is Tallulah hairdressers.

Owner Ann Fairbairn said: "The CID came in and asked us if we had any CCTV but we don't. They didn't say anything else or ask any other questions.

"It's a terrible shame what happened to those kids."