Two men were arrested on suspicion of metal theft after a large explosion destroyed an unoccupied house on Southfield Lane in Bradford on Saturday night, leaving the property beyond repair and damaging neighbouring homes, police said.
Emergency services were called to the scene at about 10:10 p.m. following reports of an explosion. Police, fire and ambulance crews attended; two adjacent houses were reported damaged and a man, a woman and a boy were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
A 28-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of metal theft and is receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries, Bradford District Police said. A 27-year-old man was found near the scene with serious but not life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital. Both remain in police custody while enquiries continue.
Superintendent Lucy Leadbeater said investigators were looking into reports that metal had been stolen from the empty property shortly before the explosion, but that the exact cause of the blast remained under examination. "A number of enquiries remain ongoing into this serious incident today," she said, adding that the investigation would determine what preceded the explosion.
Photographs released from the scene show extensive rubble and structural collapse, with interior spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms left exposed. The images indicate significant damage to the pavement, road and the rear of the property, and police established a cordon while emergency services worked at the scene.
Fire crews secured the site and confirmed there were no ongoing fires after arrival. Ambulance service personnel treated several people at the scene and transported those with injuries to nearby hospitals; police officers assisted with evacuations and welfare checks of neighbouring residents as necessary.
Investigators from the local police force are continuing a forensic and witness inquiry to establish the sequence of events and the cause of the explosion. Authorities asked anyone with information or who saw activity in the area around the reported time of the blast to contact Bradford District Police to assist with enquiries.
No further details on charges had been released by police as of Sunday evening. The investigation remains active and the force said it would provide updates as inquiries progress.