Blast properties demolished

An investigation into the cause of the explosion at a house in Newark in Nottinghamshire has today ruled out the domestic gas supply.

Police and fire crews will continue to establish what caused the explosion, which resulted in the death of Jeanette Rourke and Leslie Rourke on Sunday 19 May.

Several properties are being demolished on Wright Street in Newark, after houses were left unstable following an explosion which killed two people on Sunday afternoon.

Wright Street in Newark in Nottinghamshire is closed in both directions because police are still investigating the gas blast that took place between Hill Vue Gardens and Clay Lane/Cromwell Road.

Up to six properties are being demolished following the explosion at the weekend. Restrictions are also likely to be in place on other local roads as a result.

Source: INRIX

Crews say it could take another 10 days for the area around a house blast in Nottingham to be made secure.

Two people died in the explosion in Newark on Sunday. Six properties may have to be demolished.

A photo has been released of Jeanette Rourke – the second blast victim on Wright Street in Newark, which killed two people and left others with injuries.

Leslie Rourke, aged 71, also died in the explosion on Sunday evening. He is believed to be Jeanette's father-in-law.

A police cordon remains in place at the scene of a suspected gas blast in Wright Street, Newark.

Work is continuing to remove roof slates and bricks from the houses affected while forensic investigations take place.

Building Control Services from Newark and Sherwood District Council will be doing the controlled demolition of the supporting walls and the rest of the roof structure on the two neighbouring properties.

Residents in odd numbered properties of Wright Street have now gone back to their homes.

People from Private Street and even numbered properties in Wright Street are being asked to get ready for another night away from their homes.

Demolition and forensic work may continue to disrupt utility supplies to these properties.

Residents from affected properties should report to the Information Centre at Charles Street Methodist Church or contact the helpline on 0300 500 80 80.

National Grid will need to get into the properties to restore supply and carry out testing.

Senior officers are due to meet at 9am this morning, to decide if residents in Newark can return to their homes.

Last night (Monday), some people who live near the explosion were briefly allowed back into their houses to collect belongings.

Police and senior fire officers say demolition work is still going on to allow the recovery of the body of a woman killed in the Newark explosion. They have praised locals who risked their lives to help those trapped in the rubble.