A spokesman for the company said engineers had isolated the gas supply to the affected properties to "ensure the safety of the teams who are working in and around them, particularly in light of the structural damage" to the homes.
Mr Tariq told BBC Radio Manchester there was "devastation and shock" within the community, adding: "I know people will remember this for a very long time to come."
Mushtaq Anwar, who lives next door to the affected house, said the explosion sounded "like a bomb blast" and it had caused a wall in his home to collapse.
He said his family, including two small children, escaped through their back door after the front entrance was blocked by falling bricks.
His nephew Hamzah Anwar added that the front door of the damaged house had blown off and smashed into his uncle's car.
Another local resident, Anthony Hamilton, said there were "bricks and smoke everywhere", while Bury Football Club's nearby Gigg Lane stadium was opened to provide shelter and refreshments.
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