Police say they are “cautiously optimistic” that there will be no more victims of an explosion at a block of flats in Bedford.
Some local residents affected by Monday’s blast and subsequent fire at the three-story building in Redwood Grove, Bedford, have begun to return to their homes after being evacuated.
Bedfordshire police said they have found the body of the person known to have died in the incident, with an autopsy scheduled for Friday.
Police believe there are no other victims who are “hidden”.
Much of the block of 20 flats, with part of the roof destroyed, remains unsafe, with officers warning that it will be some time before a full investigation and investigations are carried out.
Six adjacent flats also remain unsafe to live in, but residents of an adjacent block of 78 flats were able to return home.
Chief Inspector John Murphy said: ‘While we are not currently able to physically enter the building to conduct a proper search, based on our investigation to date and the information we have received, we do not believe that anyone else is missing. nor 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 is welcome that we can be cautiously optimistic that there will be no further casualties.”
Tributes are pouring in for the victim, who has not yet been officially identified.
The flowers and cards were moved closer to the block after a cordon was removed.
There’s an autopsy on Friday.
The cause of the explosion is being investigated by forensic teams, although it has been confirmed that there was no gas supply to the building.
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