Bedford residents to discuss returning home after explosion

Residents who had to leave their homes after a fatal explosion will meet with council staff to discuss returning to their properties.

Paul Swales, 85, and Julia Harris, 84, died after the blast at Cleat Hill, Bedford, on 19 October.

The incident 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.

Bedford Borough Council said 50 evacuated households all "have had a different experience and it's vital that we understand what reassurances they need, both when going back to their home and moving forward beyond that".

A cordon remained in place at the scene and the police, fire service and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) were investigating the cause of the explosion.

At a residents' meeting on Monday evening, the HSE confirmed the borehole had been filled with cement to make it gas tight.

It added the cement had cured, and it was confident the gas had been stopped but it would be monitored.

A spokesman for the council said regular public meetings had taken place and it was "important that our residents are kept safe and that we listen to them".

Temporary accommodation has been provided for evacuated households, as well as financial support, an advice and support centre, free office space with free car parking at Borough Hall, and a 24-hour emergency helpline, he continued.

"We have also worked closely with partner agencies, facilitating residents to go back to their homes to collect essential belongings, with the welfare checks and assessments, and with door-knocking in the wider area," he added.

"And we have supported the patrols by Bedfordshire Police by arranging for officers from a private security firm.

"We appreciate that this has been a challenging time for residents, and we appreciate their patience, cooperation and understanding."