Woman dead after Guildford explosion

Emergency services were called to Bedford House in Onslow Street in Guildford shortly before five thirty last night following reports of a loud explosion. A fire had broken out at flat number six. A short time later the body of a woman was discovered at the premises.

The force of the blast was so severe that the windows and doors of the flat were blown off. Neighbours describe one of the occupants of the flat running out semi naked and badly burned. He's been named locally as Mark Essex, a cleaner who works at Guildford College.

The 57 year old was initially taken to the Royal Surrey County Hospital but he's since been transferred to a specialist burns unit in East Grinstead where his condition is described as serious.

Residents of the apartment block have now been allowed to return to their homes.

It's not yet known what caused the blaze but forensic teams have spent the day at the scene collecting evidence. The results of a post mortem examination on the woman who died are expected to be released tomorrow.