Man dies after ‘explosion’ takes off roof before fire rips through house in Bedford – as neighbours recall ‘might bang’

A NEIGHBOUR heard a “mighty bang” as the roof of a home “came off” in a horror explosion that left one dead and another in hospital.

A man was killed and a second person was hospitalised for serious injuries after the unexplained blast in Cleat Hill, Bedford, on Saturday morning.

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The unexplained blast sparked a fire at the home in Bedford[/caption]

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The remains of a house explosion and subsequent fire[/caption]

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Footage shows flames and smoke billowing from a home on a leafy residential street[/caption]

A resident who lives in a nearby property said: “I just heard the bang, I heard a mighty bang that was really massive.

“I can’t describe it. I’ve never heard anything like it.”

The local, who was evacuated from her home following the tragedy, said she first thought the noise, at around 7am, was something falling on her roof or a car that had come off the road.

She then said the “whole roof” of the destroyed house “came off” in the explosion.

“Whatever was left of the roof went up in flames, I didn’t see the flames itself, when I went out it was more like smoke,” the resident added.

“We weren’t allowed to go closer because it wasn’t safe, we were told to go back inside because they didn’t know what was going to happen.

“I left at about 8 o’clock last night and fire brigade have been there through the night.”

Other locals also felt a shock wave and heard a loud bang at around 7.30am, the Bedford Independent reports.

Footage shows flames and smoke billowing from a home on a leafy residential street.

One person died and another has been taken to hospital with “serious injuries”, cops said.

Neighbours were evacuated and other residents were urged to keep their windows open.

Bedfordshire Borough Council has set up an emergency assistance centre for people who have been evacuated from their homes, police said.

Emergency services are now probing the cause of the lethal explosion.

Detective Chief Superintendent Zara Brown said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with the family and friends of the person who sadly died and the person who is being treated in hospital.

“We understand that this incident is very concerning for those who live in the vicinity.

“We are still advising people to avoid the Cleat Hill area whilst work at the scene continues.”

Bedfordshire Police said: “We understand that this incident is very concerning for those who live in the vicinity.

“We are still advising for people to avoid the Cleat Hill area whilst work at the scene continues.”

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.