Man killed in house blast in Hampshire town of Andover named
Police reveal gas played a part in an explosion that ripped apart a home thought to be for people "getting back on their feet".
Friday 28 December 2018 20:09, UK
A man who died in a gas explosion at a house in Hampshire has been named as James Kirkby.
The body of the 48-year-old was found in the remains of the building in Andover, after the blast at around 2.30am on Thursday.
Neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution in Launcelot Close, off King Arthurs Way.
Police said no other injuries were reported and all those listed as living at the address have been accounted for.
Forensic investigators remain at the scene as part of enquiries into the cause of the explosion.
A cordon has been reduced but officers expect to remain at the site for several days, Hampshire Constabulary said.
Chief Inspector Kory Thorne, Test Valley district commander, said: "We would like to thank people for their patience while we deal with this incident.
"We know this has had an impact on the local community, and we're grateful to our partners who have supported those evacuated from the adjoining terrace.
"The process of searching the site safely and establishing the exact circumstances of what happened is likely to take some time.
"While this takes place, we would ask people not to speculate on the details of this incident."
Andy Phillips, 44, who lives nearby said the explosion was like "a huge clap of thunder that shook and rattled ours and many other houses" with the resulting debris covering about a 25m (82ft) radius.
He said the property affected was a shared house for people "getting back on their feet after hard times".