Cleat Hill explosion: What do we know so far?

On Saturday, 19 October a man died and a woman was left in a critical condition after a house exploded in Cleat Hill, Bedford. The BBC looks at why it happened and what residents can expect to see in the coming weeks.

A 100m (328ft) cordon remains in place and a number of homes are still evacuated.

It is the area where, on 2 July, contractors struck a pocket of natural gas while drilling a borehole to install a heat pump, causing another evacuation.

Emergency services were called to the property in Cleat Hill, at about 07:30 BST on 19 October after an explosion and subsequent fire at a house.

The exact cause has not been given but an investigation has begun and is being led by Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Bedford Borough Council said specialist equipment had been brought in to support the work being carried out.

Gas distributor Cadent said its initial investigations found gas was detected at the scene, but it was not the odorised supply that flows through its network and into people’s homes, but rather odour-free natural gas from a pocket underground.

"This gas has no smell to it, and we need to use sensitive gas detection equipment to check the levels in the area," it said.

It has left one house totally destroyed.

Paul Bradley, the HSE's head of operations at its energy division, told a meeting natural gas had escaped from the site of a nearby borehole and the gas network had been ruled out as the source.

It was providing technical advice on a permanent solution to seal off the borehole and drilling contractors were working to get the escaping gas "under control".

He added the borehole was "open" and subject to the "elements".

Mr Bradley said investigations indicated the blockage had caused gas pressure to build up.

He said it was thought gas had then forced its way around the blockage and out of the ground.

A separate ongoing investigation was under way into the circumstances of the gas leak in July 2024.

Since Saturday morning, a number of homes have been evacuated. Bedford Borough Council said it had found accommodation for about 25 families, with others believed to be staying with family or friends.

A cordon remained in place "for the safety of the public and to allow operations to take place", it said.

Homes in Glenrose Avenue and Wagstaff Close, outside the cordon, were also evacuated as they are accessible within the cordon.

"The effectiveness of this cordon is continuously reviewed", it added.

Residents were allowed to collect some essential belongings from Thursday but only in a "controlled and supervised manner".

Ian Simpson, who lives within the cordon, said he had not been into his home since the afternoon on Saturday, 19 October and was currently living with his in-laws and only had the small number of items they took when he left.

He said he did not see the incident coming, had been left feeling unsettled and it was like living in a TV drama.

"The thought that your next-door neighbour could be drilling down to 120m (394ft) for a ground-source heat pump is really frightening."

He said he wanted make sure better regulation and checks were needed.

The council said it had been offering support, including financial help, to affected residents, it had created an advice and support centre and a dedicated 24-hour emergency helpline.

It was continuing to monitor the situation and "manage all risks", it added.

It is not known how long the cordon could be in place, but it could be several weeks.

The only details released by the authorities were that one man had died and a woman remained in hospital in a critical condition.

The Conservative-elected mayor of Bedford, Tom Wootton, said: "I'm deeply saddened by the tragic incident at Cleat Hill.

"My thoughts are with the family, friends, and all those directly affected, as well as the wider local community."

On 2 July, Nicholls Boreholes and Ground Source said it caused a gas leak in Cleat Hill, Bedford, after hitting a pocket of natural gas.

It said at the time it had been drilling a borehole for a heat pump when they "encountered a pocket of naturally occurring gas at approximately 100m below ground level".

"The borehole has been temporarily capped to control the flow of gas whilst we work with the emergency services to permanently close it."

The BBC has approached the company for an updated statement and has yet to hear back.

Ken Gordon, chief executive of the Ground Source Heat Pump Association, confirmed he had written a letter to its members.

"Early reports suggest the explosion took place near to a property where an underground gas pocket was encountered during borehole drilling earlier this year.

He said it applied not to just ground-source heat pump installations but "the broader context of drilling activities".

He urged all contractors to ensure vertical borehole works were conducted in accordance with the appropriate standards.

"Safety remains paramount, and we will review this standard in light of any findings from the HSE and BFRS investigations," he said.

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