DERBYSHIRE EXPLOSION LATEST: Bodies of husband and wife found in wreckage after house blast

They were found in the bedroom of the house by investigators who searched the building after the fire was extinguished.

The couple have been named locally as Simon and Shelley Saxton-Cooper.

Their families have been informed but they have not been formally identified.

There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire but investigations are at an early stage.

Emergency services were called to Valley View Road at around 7.30am on Sunday morning after neighbours heard the explosion.

Chief Inspector Steve Pont, from Derbyshire Constabulary, said: “This is an awful tragedy. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the two people who have lost their lives.”

Off duty fireman Paul Archer, of Oakland Crescent, just metres from the property, said he attended the incident.

He said: “I was in bed this morning when I heard a loud crashing noise. I think it must have been when an explosion pushed the bricks out.”

Paul said he and wife Jane went outside and he entered the property.

Jane continued, as Paul was summoned by a fire officer mid-interview: “The lady who lives next door used her key to let Paul in. He went upstairs but said both the bedrooms were blown out.”

“We (were) not sure if the couple were in at the time. Nobody tried to escape and we haven’t been told anything else.”