A man has been taken into custody on murder suspicions after a fatal explosion that severely damaged several homes and vehicles in Nottinghamshire.

Emergency services responded to an incident on John Street in Worksop at 7:39 PM BST on Saturday evening, where they discovered 53-year-old David Howard in the wreckage; he was pronounced dead at the scene. Nottinghamshire Police have arrested a 43-year-old man for questioning but have released him on bail while further investigations proceed.

Authorities have stated that the cause of the explosion is still unknown, and they are keeping an open mind during this preliminary phase of their inquiry. Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow remarked, "Although an arrest has been made, our investigation is still in its initial stages, and we are committed to uncovering the cause of this tragic incident. It's too early to determine if there is a criminal aspect involved, and we urge the public to refrain from speculation." The explosion destroyed one terraced house and partially collapsed two others. Debris caused damage to eight additional properties and 20 vehicles, police reported. Approximately 50 residents from 35 homes were evacuated. While many have since returned, some individuals remain in temporary housing. A section of John Street is still cordoned off as demolition and investigation efforts are underway. Authorities confirmed that one additional person received treatment for minor injuries, but all residents in the vicinity have now been accounted for. Both Bassetlaw District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, along with the police, expressed gratitude to the public for their patience and cooperation following the incident. Residents expressed their shock when the cleanup began on Monday, with damaged walls being removed. Debbie Adams, a nearby resident, described how the explosion rattled her home and filled her dining room with dust. She recounted seeing the house "completely collapsed," with neighbors walking through clouds of dust. Another local, Piotr Peruki, who lives adjacent to the explosion site, mentioned that he slept in his car and took a day off work due to shock and exhaustion.

His teenage son was particularly unsettled by the event. "For him, it was a very frightening experience; he's scared," Peruki noted. "He's said he doesn't want to stay here anymore; he wants to move because he doesn't feel safe, fearing another
accident may occur.
BBC