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Elderly couple dead after gas borehole blast in Bedford
14 Jul
Summary
- Two elderly residents died following a house explosion on October 19, 2024.
- A police investigation report has been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service.
- The explosion occurred near a gas borehole drilled in July 2024.
A police investigation report concerning a fatal house explosion has been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The blast occurred on October 19, 2024, in Cleat Hill, Bedford, resulting in the deaths of Paul Swales, 85, and Julia Harris, 84. The inquiry is being overseen by coroner Emma Whitting.
The explosion happened in an area where contractors had previously encountered a pocket of natural gas while drilling a 100m borehole for a heat pump in July 2024. Health and Safety Executive officials confirmed in November 2024 that the borehole had been sealed with cement to ensure it was gas-tight.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Inwood informed the inquest hearing that the CPS anticipates needing approximately three months to review the provided report. He was limited in the information he could share due to ongoing criminal matters but confirmed the police-led investigation focused on the explosion's cause.
Residents affected by the explosion were temporarily rehoused for eight weeks before returning to their homes. Bedford Borough Council stated that the site's future will be determined by legal processes. Further inquest hearings are scheduled to be fixed at a later date.
