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Man dies days after explosion at bungalow

Helen Burchell
News imageAnt Saddington/BBC An aerial shot of three bungalows. The one on the far left is completely destroyed with just four internal walls remaining. There is debris everywhere. There is a police car parked nearby and people in high-vis vests.Ant Saddington/BBC
The explosion happened at a bungalow in Newton Longville near Milton Keynes in the early hours of Sunday

A man has died in hospital days after a suspected gas explosion at a bungalow.

The blast, which happened at 09:45 BST on Sunday, destroyed the home on Cobb Hall Road in Newton Longville, a village near Milton Keynes.

Thames Valley Police said a man in his 60s was taken to hospital where he was receiving treatment for his injuries. His death was announced on Thursday.

He has been named as Steve Woodward in a tribute post by Newton Longville Parish Council and in a fundraising page set up in the aftermath of the explosion.

News imageWing Sports and Social Club Steve Woodward is looking at the camera in a close-up shot of his face. He is balding and is standing outside with trees behind him.Wing Sports and Social Club
Steve Woodward died after an explosion at his bungalow in the village

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Det Insp Philip Turner-Robson said: "This is a tragic development and our thoughts are with the man's family and friends at this extremely difficult time.

"Thames Valley Police is managing a coronial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion and collapse of the property, working jointly with the Health and Safety Executive.

"Our inquiries remain ongoing as we seek to establish the full circumstances of what happened."

News imageDonna Torres Several fire engines and two police cars on a street with hoses lying on the ground. Fire officers are wearing yellow helmets and have cylinders on their backs in the foreground. There is a helicopter in the sky overhead the houses in the background.Donna Torres
Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue attended the explosion

The parish council posted a tribute to Woodward, saying: "Our deepest condolences go to Steve's family and friends.

"He will clearly be very much missed by this community."

A fundraising page was also set up by Wing Sports and Social Club in Leighton Buzzard, which said he was a member and " a friend".

Witnesses in the village had described how Sunday's blast sounded like "a bomb just dropped in the village".

Gas distribution firm SGN said an engineer arrived within 16 minutes of receiving a call from a member of public just after midnight on Sunday.

A company spokesperson said: "We're continuing to work alongside the local authority to support the local community."

They said they were "deeply saddened to learn of the death of the resident of Cobb Hall Road, following the explosion", adding: "We send our condolences to their family and friends, as well as the wider Newton Longville community, at this very difficult time."

News imageDonna Torres Firecrews attending a fire at a house which has been completely destroyed. Cars have their roofs caved in and there is debris all over the street.Donna Torres
The bungalow was destroyed in the explosion with debris scattered over a wide area

A cordon remains in place at the scene.

A number of residents were affected by the blast and were offered support, with the local pub, The Crooked Billet, becoming a hub for people who had been forced from their homes.

Peter Strachan, Buckinghamshire Council's deputy leader said: "[The] council's priority is the safety and wellbeing of the residents affected by this incident.

"We are extremely grateful to our local partners, particularly the parish council, for the support they continue to provide to residents during this difficult time.

"The cordon surrounding the 24 properties remains in place to ensure the ongoing safety of the site."

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