A year-long inquest into the death of David Howard has concluded, revealing how a stretched and failed gas hose caused the explosion that killed him at his John Street home on 12 April 2025.
Fire crews from across Bassetlaw responded to the explosion at 7:39pm. Mr Howard was trapped beneath debris and, despite sustained rescue efforts by firefighters from Worksop, Clowne, Warsop and Retford, he died at the scene from positional asphyxia.
Assistant Coroner Mr Hartley heard that Mr Howard had received a rent increase letter that day and had told friends he was depressed about it. After locking himself inside around 3pm, the explosion occurred shortly after 7:30pm.
A joint investigation by police, the Health and Safety Executive and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service found the explosion was caused by ignition of gas at ground floor level. The source was a reinforced hose connecting the gas supply to the cooker. The hose, normally 900mm long, had been stretched to 1200mm and failed, releasing gas that was likely ignited by the compressor on a fridge freezer that moved during the blast.
The coroner found that the gas meter and supply system were safe. He noted Mr Howard had a history of mental health issues and substance misuse, and may not have realised the danger of the gas leak or that it could be ignited by household appliances. He concluded Mr Howard did not intend to end his own life.
