Traffic restrictions are set to continue for nearly two weeks following a house explosion and subsequent fire that resulted in two fatalities. Multiple roads and pedestrian paths in Cleat Hill, located near Bedford, have been inaccessible since the incident occurred on Saturday, October 19. The affected zone remains inaccessible to vehicles, with drivers directed to follow marked diversion routes. Authorities, including Bedfordshire’s police and fire departments, along with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), confirmed that inquiries are ongoing to ascertain the origin of the blast. Julia Harris, aged 84, was hospitalized after the explosion and passed away on Tuesday, whereas Paul Swales, 85, succumbed to his injuries on the day the explosion occurred. Assistance for residents has been made available through an Advice and Support Centre. Temporary housing has been secured for 31 households, complemented by financial aid and the establishment of a 24-hour helpline. Personal items have been retrieved from 50 households that were evacuated. The continued closure of certain roads and footpaths is necessary to ensure public safety and facilitate ongoing operations. The zones impacted encompassed: A representative from the Bedfordshire Local Resilience Forum stated: “Our thoughts remain with everybody who has been affected by the tragic incident at Cleat Hill, and would like to thank everyone for their help and cooperation as we continue our investigation.” News updates for Beds, Herts, and Bucks are available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Further details on our external linking policy can be found. Post navigation Air accident investigators commence inquiry into fatal Fife plane crash Fifth Tourist Death in Laos Linked to Suspected ‘Tainted Drinks’