Gas monitors see some blast site residents return

Eighty-three gas monitors have been installed in people's homes near the site of a fatal explosion, as efforts are made for residents to return home.

Two people died after the fire at a property on Cleat Hill, Bedford, on 19 October. The blast happened near the source of an underground natural gas leak, which occurred during drilling for a ground source heat pump.

The new monitors can warn of toxic and flammable gases, including methane - the gas recently detected in the area.

Despite this, the official advice from Bedfordshire Police to residents to not return to their properties remains.

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

Fifty households within a 100m (328ft) cordon of the explosion site were evacuated. Many have been living with family and friends since, or housed in temporary accommodation by Bedford Borough Council.

The BBC understands the gas monitors were fitted last Thursday and Friday, and since then a number of residents have returned home.

The detectors are powered by a wall socket, but have a back-up battery in the event that mains power is lost.

They are built to detect hazardous gases like hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide and methane. An alarm sounds, and emergency services are notified, should any hazards be detected.

Ruth Pressley, 74, told BBC Three Counties Radio she returned to her home on Friday.

"I felt safe about coming home because the gas monitors had actually been installed. I have two in my house. They are unobtrusive - probably about the size of a television remote control."

She said the area was still "reasonably empty", but a few other neighbours had also returned.

She added she felt "quite happy to be back after the seven weeks that we were out for, and we can now get to the stage of thinking it's Christmas."

A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Police said 83 monitors had been installed "in all homes that have accepted the offer".

They said the local council were continuing to provide accommodation for people from 21 homes within the cordon.

"Emergency services will remain at the scene whilst the risk reflects it. The cordons of the surrounding area are constantly being reviewed," they added.

Inquests into the two deaths opened in late November at Central Bedfordshire Coroner's Court. The coroner's report stated no causes of death had been given, pending further investigation.

Last month, the Health and Safety Executive said the borehole for the heat pump had been filled with cement, making it gas-tight.

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