A priest in Texas has counted his blessings after his rectory was destroyed in an explosion just minutes after he'd left it to celebrate Mass at his church nearby.

Fr Jimmy Drennan was at St Margaret Mary Catholic Church in San Antonio in the afternoon of 27th June when he was alerted to the explosion by a neighbour. When he returned to the scene, around five minutes away, the interior of the building was engulfed in flames.

In a statement the Archdiocese of San Antonio said Fr Jimmy was “unharmed and expressing his gratitude to San Antonio first responders — police, fire, and Emergency Medical Services”.

No-one was injured in the incident which is still under investigation and Fr Jimmy told his congregation the following day that he was glad the fire hadn’t spread to other properties. Speaking to local media outlet KSAT, he said he was “fine” but “very thankful” for the community’s “prayers and their concern. The prayers of the community is very, very appreciated.”

The archdiocese said the damage to the rectory was “significant”.

Fr Jimmy, who was an officer with the San Antonio Police Department before becoming a priest said: "Everything inside the rectory can be replaced. My biggest concern was that no officer was injured and none of the neighbours were affected."

He has been offered accommodation by neighbours and police friends until he's able to return home.