Home » Second person, 84, dies after house exploded and caught fire

Second person, 84, dies after house exploded and caught fire

Second person, 84, dies after house exploded and caught fire

Remains of a house explosion and subsequent fire in Cleat Hill, Bedford (Picture: Story Picture Agency)

A woman in her 80s is the second person to die after a house exploded and then caught alight.

The home on Cleat Hill in Bedford exploded on the morning of October 19.

One person, 85-year-old Paul Swales, was declared dead at the scene and another, a family member, was left with life-threatening injuries after being rescued from the fire.

Bedfordshire Police have now confirmed that the injured person, 84-year-old Julia Harris, died on Tuesday (October 29).

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Inwood said: ‘Our thoughts remain with Julia’s loved ones at this difficult and distressing time.

‘Our family liaison officers are working with family and friends and will continue to support them however we can.

UNITED KINGDOM, Bedford, 20/10/2024 Remains of a house explosion and subsequent fire in Cleat Hill, Bedford. One person has died and one more seriously injured. Residents reported hearing a loud bang yesterday morning and neighbouring houses have been evacuated. Credit: Toby Shepheard / Story Picture Agency
One person has died in the blast and another was seriously injured (Picture: Story Picture Agency)

‘We are continuing our work with partners, including the Health and Safety Executive and on behalf of the Coroner’s Office, to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of, and responsibility for the explosion.’

Paul’s family paid tribute to him not long after the explosion, telling the BBC: ‘Paul was a kind and loving man who we dearly miss.

‘We thank the emergency services for their professionalism and the kind and heartfelt messages that have been received by everyone.

‘A special thanks goes to the gentleman that bravely pulled our family member [the woman in her 80s] from the fire.

‘Our thoughts are also with the people that have been impacted since and we hope the distress will soon end.’

Neighbours heard a ‘mighty bang’ and said the roof ‘came off’ after the unexplained blast ripped through the home in Bedford.

The immediate area was evacuated and people were told to stay away after the discovery of higher levels of natural gas.

firefighters tackle a house https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/roads-closed-and-homes-evacuated-as-firefighters-tackle-blaze/
The home burst into flames (Picture: Bedford Independent)

One neighbour, who wished not to be named, said natural gas was discovered coming ‘out from the ground’ in June during nearby building work.

She said residents were on ‘tenterhooks’ over fear of not knowing ‘which is going to go up’.

‘I’m quite elderly and I don’t want to live the rest of my years with this fear – it’s horrible,’ she added.

Cadent said it has tested its gas pipe network and ‘no leaks have been detected.’

It said it has cut off the gas supply to the affected property ‘as a safety precaution.’ Cadent experts remain on site to ‘advise and assist the fire service and HSE in their investigations.’

The cause of the explosion and fire remains unclear.

According to the Bedford Borough Council website, work was undertaken to address a gas leak in the area earlier in the year after which the council said it was still looking for a long term-solution.

The council is still providing various support services to residents affected by the explosion.

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