Man dies and a woman seriously injured in house explosion near Bedford
A man has died and a woman has been seriously injured after an explosion and fire at a property.
A number of homes have been evacuated and roads closed after the blast in Cleat Hill, Bedford.
Neighbours reported hearing a "loud bang" around 7.30am on Saturday.
"I just heard the bang, I heard a mighty bang that was really massive," one local resident told ITV News Anglia.
"I can't describe it. I've never heard anything like it."
The neighbour, who was evacuated from her home following the incident, said that the "whole roof" of the affected house came off in the explosion.
She added: "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.
"We weren't allowed to go closer because it wasn't safe."
An emergency assistance centre for people who have been evacuated was set up.
Det Ch Supt Zara Brown from Bedfordshire Police revealed that "increased levels" of natural gas had been found in the area and that the cordon would remain in place as a precaution.
"The gas levels identified are thought to be naturally occurring gases from an underground source and not coming from a gas pipe network," she said.
"Safety is our main priority and so we are still advising for people to avoid the Cleat Hill area while work at the scene continues.
"We also want to remind any drone owners that the area is currently a no-fly zone.
“We know that residents of nearby properties want to get back into their homes as quickly as possible and we thank them for their continued support and patience."
Rev Charles Royden, vicar of nearby St Mark's Church in Brickhill, told ITV News Anglia that he heard the explosion.
“We were all woken up at 7.30am by a huge bang and then after that, sirens and sirens all over the place and ambulances and fire engines, who’ve all done an incredible job, I have to say.
"You always hope that nobody has lost their life and it is a tragedy that somebody has in this case.
"That’s really hurting everybody, because we are a small village and a small community here and everybody feels it when something tragic like that happens.
"Everybody knows everybody and so everybody knows somebody who’s been affected by this and members of our congregation have been affected by it," he added.
"They’ve come along to the church today and that’s been great, because we’ve been able to get together and support one another.”
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