A CARPENTER who worked on his boat in a 24-year "labour of love" died after a gas explosion on board, an inquest heard.

Tony Wood, 65, of Aldeburgh Street, Greenwich, suffered 50 per cent burns and a fractured skull on April 17 this year, dying eight days later.

A fire investigation revealed gas piping on the 40ft sailing boat, the MV Allwood, which was docked at Baltic Quay Marina, in Rotherhithe, had become disconnected, Southwark Coroner's Court heard.

His partner of six years, teacher Sarah Kidd, 47, of Woodland Grove, Greenwich, told News Shopper: "The boat was almost at the point of completion when it exploded.

"It was a labour of love."

The couple had been planning to start a family and had been referred for IVF.

A statement from a friend of Mr Wood, Sarah Core, said she was cooking a meal on his boat when she spotted the gas flame starting to roll over the edges of the hob and jumped into the water.

Dominic Freeman, who was on a nearby boat, told the court: "I heard a loud blast. There were pieces of debris flying everywhere and I could hear a female screaming."

Paramedics took Miss Core to hospital.

But Mr Wood died at the Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, on April 25.

Fire officer Gordon Rolfe told the inquest a piece of equipment costing £100 which detects gas leaks could have saved the carpenter's life.

Coroner Selena Lynch recorded a verdict of accidental death.