Most Residents Cleared to Return Home Following Fatal Explosion and Gas Monitor Installation

Following the installation of gas monitors, most residents displaced from their homes due to a fatal explosion have been advised that it is safe to go back. The fire, which occurred at a property on Cleat Hill, Bedford, on 19 October, claimed two lives. The explosion took place close to an underground natural gas leak, which developed during drilling operations for a ground source heat pump. Bedfordshire Police confirmed that the cordon, which had been in effect since the explosion, would be lifted at 10:00 GMT, excluding the destroyed property. Paul Swales, 85, and his sister-in-law Julia Harris, 84, passed away after the explosion and subsequent fire. Fifty households situated within a 100m (328ft) cordon around the explosion site were evacuated. Many of these residents have since been staying with family and friends, or have been provided temporary accommodation by Bedford Borough Council. The BBC has learned that 83 gas monitors were installed in the affected homes on 5 and 6 December. These monitors provide warnings for toxic and flammable gases, including methane, which is the gas recently found in the area. At a public meeting on Thursday night, Craig Austin, the council’s director of environment, addressed residents, stating: “We believe it’s acceptable and safe to return to properties and the relevant experts agree.” He further assured them, “Going forward, we will continue meeting with residents… we are across the board here to provide you that support.” Steve Wilson, from the Environmental Protection Group, detailed the testing that has been carried out around the site thus far. He indicated that, as a result, most homes were secure for habitation with the gas alarms in place, although a small number of properties would require more intensive monitoring in the spaces beneath the floor. It was reported at the meeting that an evacuation test, performed by one household using the gas monitors, had been successful, with the resident describing the system as “slick and effective” and saying it “made us feel much safer”. The fire service is set to conduct individual risk assessments for each household. Mr Wilson also detailed the sealing of a 100m (328ft) borehole in November and stated that gas monitoring around the site would proceed daily between 07:00 and 17:00 into 2025. In-home monitoring is slated to continue for 12 months. Mr Wilson has also put forward a recommendation for the sealing of all service ducts, and households will be contacted with details on how this will be implemented. The borough council organized the meeting, which was attended by representatives from the fire and police departments. Inquests into the two fatalities began in late November at Central Bedfordshire Coroner’s Court. The coroner’s report noted that no causes of death had been provided, pending further inquiry.