A GAS snorting addict risked blowing herself and her neighbours up by trying to light a cigarette whilst sniffing fumes — with at least 70 butane canisters strewn around her.

Jacqueline Sorley sparked an evacuation emergency in the east end of Greenock involving multiple fire and ambulance crews as well as numerous police officers.

Sorley, 52, was being treated by paramedics when she inexplicably attempted to light up whilst still trying to inhale yet more butane.

The alarm was raised at her top floor flat on Carwood Street by two female addiction support workers who had earlier witnessed her snorting gas from one canister whilst clutching another, Greenock Sheriff Court heard.

Residents from the block were ordered from their homes amid fears over a potential explosion.

The court was told that the addiction support workers were there to speak to Sorley, who initially invited them into the flat.

But when the witnesses tried to take the canisters from her, she became 'hostile' and demanded that they leave.

The women briefly left but returned due to concerns for Sorley's wellbeing, the court heard.

There was a 'strong smell of gas' and the front door of her flat was lying ajar as she shouted: "Help me, help me."

Evidence before the court states that Sorley was still inhaling the gas as the support workers contacted the emergency services.

The court further heard that while she was being attended to by paramedics, a fire watch commander saw her still attempting to inhale gas cannisters and simultaneously trying to light a cigarette, which was snatched away from her.

All windows within the property were opened by the watch commander, the court was told.

Two fire crews and two ambulance crews attended the scene.

It was stated that the view of the watch commander was that Sorley's actions were 'dangerous and reckless' and were a fire risk to other residents within the six-flat building.

The court was told that police officers saw around 70 empty butane canisters — which had been collected by firefighters — stuffed into a pair of black bin bags placed outside the building.

Sorley, now of Nicolson Street, committed the offence on the afternoon of February 21, 2019.

She pleaded guilty through solicitor Aidan Gallagher to culpably and recklessly storing a quantity of butane gas canisters, causing butane to leak into the building and attempting to light a cigarette and thereby expose residents to risk of fire and explosion.

Solicitor Gerry Keenan, covering the case for Mr Gallagher, said: "Miss Sorley had addiction issues previously, had been clean for a couple of years and what transpired represents something of a falling off of the wagon.

"It is clearly a serious matter."

Sheriff Michael Higgins has deferred sentence until May 25 for background reports.