Lidgate explosion: Two dead after ‘multiple’ blasts at home in Suffolk, police say

Police and fire service launch joint investigation after rear of rural bungalow completely blown out

Police investigate at Lidgate in Suffolk (PA)

Two people have died following a fire and reports of “multiple explosions” at a house in Lidgate, Suffolk Police said.

Police were contacted by the fire service at 12.15pm on Tuesday after several blasts were reported at the large bungalow in The Street – a countryside road near Newmarket.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service sent four crews to tackle the flames before extinguishing the blaze just over an hour later. Police brought in specialist dogs to try to find the whereabouts of the two people who were initially reported as “unaccounted for”.

Police later confirmed the deaths inside the home. “Two people have died following a house fire in Lidgate,” said a spokesperson.

One resident in the village said the nearby blasts rattled the windows, telling Cambridgeshire Live that it sounded like “a bomb going off”. A firefighter who attended the scene said the rear of the bungalow had been “totally destroyed” by the fire.

The building sustained significant structural damage and utility companies were later called out to make sure neighbouring residents were safe.

The cause of the explosions is currently unknown and the police force and fire service launched a joint investigation into the incident.

Officers reportedly suspect the fire could have been caused by a gas explosion. Police said the road would remain closed “for quite some time” while investigators made inquiries.

A spokesman from Suffolk Council said: "Four fire engines attended the scene after reports of an explosion which took just over an hour to be put out.

"At least 75 per cent of the building was damaged before it was dealt with."

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Suffolk Police on 101 quoting reference CAD 122 of 7 May.