Fatal explosion a 'household accident', police say

A fatal explosion in South Yorkshire is believed to have been caused by a "household accident", according to police.

Emergency services were called to Clifton Mount in Rotherham at 13:18 BST on Tuesday, with a man found dead at the scene.

Clifton Mount was closed off to allow emergency services to work but later reopened.

In an update on Wednesday, South Yorkshire Police said: "While the exact cause of the explosion has not yet been confirmed, at this stage in our investigation we believe it to have been caused by a household accident.

"There is no risk to the wider public and we are continuing to carry out enquiries to fully understand the circumstances of this tragic incident."

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service sent three fire engines from Rotherham and Tankersley fire stations to the scene on Tuesday.

Gas distributor Cadent Gas said it conducted a full investigation and confirmed the incident was "not an issue related to our gas network".

Craig Cockram said he received a knock on his door from police about 30 minutes after he "heard a bang...as if there was a shooting".

The resident, who lives in a block of flats on Clifton Mount, was told by officers they were evacuating those inside the three-storey block.

"I'm just shocked, bemused," he said on Tuesday. "I can't believe what's happened."

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North