Neighbouring home yet to return after house blast

One neighbouring household is still to be allowed to return home after a fatal house explosion nearly five months ago.

Two people were killed and about 50 homes were evacuated in Cleat Hill near Bedford in October.

Some residents stayed in a Travelodge paid for by the council, which also provided food vouchers.

Bedford Borough Council told the BBC one household had not yet returned to their property due to "additional mitigation work".

The explosion took place near where there was an underground gas leak in July after a borehole was drilled to install a ground source heat pump.

Paul Swales, 85, and his sister-in-law Julia Harris, 84, died in the explosion and subsequent fire on 19 October.

Bedford Borough Council has already spent £1m in recovery costs since the fatal blast, but that bill could rise to £2m.

The council has told the BBC that the majority of residents returned to their homes in December.

A spokesperson said: "It is correct that one household has yet to return, and another household returned in the last fortnight.

"At Christmas, the majority of residents were able to return, but these two specific households needed additional mitigation work."

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