Man Arrested on Suspicion of Murder After Deadly House Explosion Wrecks Nearby Homes

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a house explosion in Worksop that left one man dead. Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that a 43-year-old man was taken into custody for questioning before being released on bail as investigations continue.

The body of 53-year-old David Howard was found beneath the rubble after the blast, which occurred at around 7:39pm on April 12. Two terraced houses were completely destroyed in the explosion, and emergency services remain on site as they work to determine the cause.

Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow, who is leading the investigation, said: "Our thoughts remain with David's loved ones at this extremely difficult time. Whilst we have made an arrest, I want to be really clear that our investigation remains at a very early stage and we are doing everything possible to establish what caused this deeply tragic incident. It remains too early to say whether there is a criminal element to this case and I would ask that people avoid speculation. Our inquiries are continuing and I would further ask anyone with information who is yet to come forward to please contact us as soon as possible."

Fire crews responded quickly to the scene on Sunday morning, working to account for all residents. A nearby community centre, Crown Place, was opened as a place of safety for those affected.

According to Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, the explosion caused significant structural damage to the property involved. Witnesses described hearing a loud bang that shook nearby homes, and images shared on social media showed extensive damage, including one house reduced to rubble. A video posted online showed debris, including bricks, strewn across the street.

Karolina Ciolko, a resident who lives nearby, told the BBC: "I was lying in bed when I heard an explosion. I saw smoke and the car in front of me rocked, and the alarm went off. We quickly ran out of the house to see what had happened."

In addition to the two homes destroyed, police said two neighbouring properties partially collapsed and eight others, along with 20 cars, sustained damage from flying debris. Investigators continue to assess the full extent of the damage and gather information to understand what triggered the explosion.

The Johnson Partnership (Notthingham)