Terrified neighbours have spoken of the moment they awoke to explosions in the middle of the night as a bungalow in their road became engulfed in flames.

Emergency crews were called to Shirley and Martin Hughes’ home in Maple Grove, Trowbridge, just after 2.30am yesterday after a fire broke out in a back bedroom.

No one was injured and two dogs found nearby are in police care.

Jean Wiltshire, 72, who has lived in Maple Grove, for a year said she had been asleep when she was woken by a loud bang.

She said: “I have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease which is the term for bronchitis and emphysema among other things, so I always sleep with the window open.

“On the night of the fire I just heard this loud bang and when I looked out I saw flames shooting out of the back of the house. It was at this point that I realised the bang had been the windows shattering and blowing outwards.”

Mrs Wiltshire, who lives alone, said she was terrified and went around her home checking the walls to see if they were hot and the fire was spreading.

She said: “It did run through my mind that I could have suffocated. If it wasn’t for that loud bang then there is a possibility that I might not have woken up. When I first saw those flames I thought I was dreaming. I really did.”

Mary Purnell, 78, who lives the other side of the bungalow, which is owned by Selwood Housing, is a full time carer to her husband.

She had rushed to her husband Hubert’s bedroom at the back of the house to see if he was okay and find out what had happened and saw the flames outside.

She said: “I could see my neighbours were outside of the front of their house with their dogs so I knew they weren’t in the burning building.”

Neighbours say they have complained to the housing association about Mr and Mrs Hughes over rowdy behaviour.

A Selwood Housing spokesman said: “We are aware of the concerns of local residents and we will work with them to find a solution to these problems.

“Our head of care and support went to Maple Grove after being alerted by our 24-hour response service, the police and fire brigade. She arrived at about 3am and stayed until 6am reassuring neighbours and residents.”

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.