'Relief' as residents return home after explosion

Residents living near the site of a fatal gas explosion said they were "relieved" to return home before Christmas after being evacuated in October.

Two people died at Cleat Hill in Bedford following the blast, which was linked to a natural gas leak, and the whole neighbourhood was told to leave their homes.

"It's been a weird eight weeks," said Erica Fletcher. "When I heard we could go home, I didn't quite believe it."

Most residents were told this week that a cordon would be lifted, except at the destroyed house, after gas monitors were installed.

Paul Swales, 85, and his sister-in-law Julia Harris, 84, died following the explosion and subsequent fire.

It happened close to where an underground gas leak occurred in July, after a borehole was drilled to install a ground source heat pump.

Ms Fletcher said "it's almost been like a dream" as she stayed in a Travelodge paid for by Bedford Borough Council, which also provided food vouchers.

She said although "my head says we should be safe" to return, on an emotional level she was still "a little bit" uncertain.

"I know the pocket of gas was sealed tight, I know they filled the borehole, and the readings show the gas levels are negligible.

"I've only just got home and the litmus test will be how I feel tonight going to bed," she added.

Ruth Matthews came back to her home on Monday and said it "feels fantastic".

"Everybody wants to be home for Christmas, that was number one on the wish list. If it hadn't been safe, we'd have reconciled ourselves to that.

"We didn't really have any anxiety at all about coming back.

"You get to the point where you're so keen to be home again, that far outweighs any anxiety you might or might not have."

After eight weeks away, she said: "You suddenly notice the cobwebs, so I've gone to war with them. It's great being back in your own bed and having your own routine."

As well as praising the council, Ms Matthews said nearby St Marks Church had been "absolutely outstanding".

The church provided a warm space for residents to gather each day and offered practical support too.

"They have even had some people doing washing. I can't fault them," she said.

Ruth Pressley said the last few weeks had been "very strange indeed - almost like Covid times".

She was "overjoyed" to have moved back home, and was "trying to get back to normality".

"People are saying it feels a bit eerie, coming back when we've been out for seven weeks.

"Some of us did move in last weekend, because we felt safe enough to do that, as the gas monitors had been inserted.

"I fortunately have family locally, so my son was prepared to accommodate me and my cat over the last seven weeks, but there's a sense of relief that we can come home."

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