Redwood Grove explosion: Police 'cautiously optimistic' no further victims

More than 20 flats at Redwood Grove have been destroyed

Police said they are "cautiously optimistic" no further victims would be found at the scene of a fatal explosion at a block of flats.

One person died when more than 20 flats in the three-storey block at Redwood Grove, Bedford, were destroyed in the fire on 4 July, and a large section of the block's roof collapsed.

"We do not believe there is anybody else unaccounted for," police said.

Residents have now begun returning to 78 adjoining flats.

One person died and three people were taken to hospital.

The person who died has not yet been formally identified and a post-mortem examination is expected to take place on Friday.

On Wednesday night, police and specialist teams were able to recover the body of the deceased person.

Ch Supt John Murphy, from Bedfordshire Police, said: "This remains an incredibly complex investigation which will take some time to carry out.

"However, we've been working hard to get as many residents back into their homes as possible and I'd like to thank everyone who has been impacted for their patience and understanding at this difficult time.

"While we cannot currently physically enter the building to carry out a proper search, based on our investigations so far, and the information we have received, we do not believe there is anybody else unaccounted for, either as residents or visitors.

"It is a tragedy that one person has lost their life and our thoughts are very much with their loved ones.

"However, it's welcome that we can be cautiously optimistic that there will be no further victims."

Those directly affected by the fire should be able to "briefly return and collect a small number of important or cherished items," the force said.

Melanie Wiltshire has said she does not know the extent of the damage to her flat

Melanie Wiltshire lived in one of the top floor flats in the building and said she feared everything "has gone" after her home was engulfed in flames.

Since Monday she has been unable to get close to her home, retrieve her car or get to her new job which she should have started on Monday.

"The one thing I thought that I had was my car," she said.

When residents are able to return, police said there should be an opportunity for them to access their vehicles that "remain within the cordoned area".

A police cordon was in place at the site of Redwood Grove, Bedford

A spokesman for Bedford Borough Council said the management company responsible for the flats was providing hotel accommodation for those made homeless and the council was providing rooms at local hotels for residents who could not return home due to the ongoing police investigation.

It is understood 12 households are being supported directly by the council and 50 households were displaced in total.