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Free parking and offices for explosion evacuees

Ant Saddington/BBC Drone photo shows destroyed buildings with emergency vehicles parked outside. Nearby homes appear undamagedAnt Saddington/BBC
Fifty households were evacuated after the blast, in which an elderly man and woman died

A council has offered free parking and office space as part of its ongoing financial support to 50 households that were evacuated after a fatal explosion.

Bedford Borough Council said it had received more than 300 calls to its emergency helpline after the explosion in Cleat Hill on 19 October, which killed Paul Swales, 85, and Julia Harris, 84.

The blast happened at a property close to where an underground gas leak occurred, after a 100m (328ft) deep borehole was drilled to install a ground source heat pump.

"Text messages have been sent every three hours updating residents from the evacuation area," said the council.

Supplied A blurry photo through a wet car window of a burning house, with all the windows and doors blown out and piles of brick rubble next to it. The building has orange flames shooting out.Supplied
The explosion happened at a house in Cleat Hill, Bedford, on 19 October

Resident Joel Simpson, 22, previously described hearing a sound "like a gunshot" before seeing "this whole building in complete flames".

He said he was evacuated from his home, along with his parents, and they were only allowed back in for a 10-minute slot to pack bags.

The 50 homes in the evacuated area are being protected by police patrols and private security guards.

"All residents have been offered the opportunity to return home and collect essential belongings from their homes," the council said.

It is providing temporary accommodation for "as long as required" and has also offered "free digital access and a printer, free office and parking space" and advice and welfare support.

Ant Saddington/BBC Joel Simpson looks at the camera, standing on the pavement with a grass verge either side and a tree to his right. In the background is a blurred police car, chequered neon yellow and blue. Joel wears a grey T-shirt with "Wates Family Enterprise Trust" on it and has brown styled hair and a beardAnt Saddington/BBC
Joel Simpson is one of dozens of residents who has not been able to return home after being evacuated in October

Residents have also been able to join public meetings, as a number of organisations investigate the incident and work to secure the area.

The Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA) said it was "essential to thoroughly understand the circumstances that led to this incident".

"We will work closely with all relevant parties to examine how this occurred and learn from this tragic situation.

"We have received questions about the presence of gas in boreholes. To the best of our knowledge, this is an extremely rare occurrence."

A spokesperson for the Bedfordshire Local Resilience Forum said: "Our thoughts remain with everybody who has been affected by the tragic incident at Cleat Hill.

"We appreciate that this has been a challenging time for residents, and we appreciate their patience, cooperation and understanding. We will continue to offer our support."

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