Worksop explosion: Man dead as police find body in wreckage of destroyed house

A man was killed in an on Saturday evening, police have said. Homes in John Street were evacuated and emergency services called to the scene in the Nottinghamshire town just before 8pm on Saturday (April 12).

confirmed today (April 13) that the body of a man in his 50s was found in the wreckage of the house. Nottinghamshire Police said emergency services treated the man but couldn't save him. He died at the scene.

Chf Insp Clive Collings said: "This is an extremely serious incident that has led to a man's untimely death. The man's family have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. I have no doubt that this incident will have come as a shock to the community in Worksop."

Firefighters remained at the scene this morning as emergency services worked to account for all residents. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said it received its first report about the explosion at 7.39pm on Saturday.

A statement said: "The building involved in this explosion has been significantly damaged. Structural engineers will be assessing the situation later today." The public has been advised to avoid the area.

Adjoining homes have also been damaged, according to the police. The nearby Crown Place Community Centre was opened as a place of safety for residents.

Locals on Facebook reported hearing a "huge" bang which shook the surrounding properties. Images and video show the entire length of the house looks to have been wrecked.

Karolina Ciolko, who lives nearby, told the BBC yesterday: "I was lying in bed when I heard an explosion.

"I quickly looked out the window. I saw smoke and the car in front of me rocked, and the alarm went off. We quickly ran out of the house to see what had happened."

A Facebook user posted last night that they were driving back from Mass when they heard a "terrific" bang, like a very loud firework".

Anyone with any information should contact the police on 101 quoting incident 612 of April 12 2025.