Inquests open into Cleat Hill explosion deaths

Inquests have opened into the deaths of two people in a house explosion last month.

Bedfordshire coroner, Emma Whitting, heard Paul Swales, 85, died on 19 October at the scene of the blast at a property in Cleat Hill, Bedford.

On the same day, Mr Swales' sister-in-law, Julia Harris, 84, was taken to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, but a report noted her "condition deteriorated and she succumbed to her injuries" on 31 October.

The report, from Ben Horrell at Central Bedfordshire Coroner's Court, said that early indications suggested a gas leak had caused the explosion but it remained under investigation by Bedfordshire Police.

No causes of death have been given, pending further investigation, the report said.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the explosion was caused by natural gas, but the "ignition source" was still being investigated.

The explosion took place close to where an underground gas leak occurred in July, after a borehole was drilled to install a ground source heat pump.

Police said it had involved the Crown Prosecution Service into its investigation of the incident, which it said had "criminal and civil aspects".

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