Worksop man dies in home explosion after rent increase distress

David Howard died in an explosion at his home on John Street, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, on April 12, 2025. According to friends and police, Howard was upset and depressed about a rent increase on the day of the explosion. He told friends he was going to blow up the house, and in a call around 3:30 PM with Shanelle Williams, he said he had pulled the pipes off the gas and it was going to go with a bang.

Events leading up to the explosion included a letter from his landlord on April 12 increasing his rent by £80 to £540, which left Howard distressed. According to major media reports, Howard locked the doors to his property around 3 PM after friends left, telling them to go and not to take his dog Roxy, saying she was staying with him. A friend smelled gas at the property before the explosion, but it is unknown whether any friends or witnesses attempted to notify emergency services before the blast.

Police received a call at 7:39 PM on April 12 reporting an explosion at 26 John Street. By the time emergency services arrived, the house had fully collapsed, according to DC Daniel Akehurst. Up to 200 people were milling around the street and were evacuated after the explosion. A post-mortem examination found Howard died from asphyxia caused by being trapped under rubble, and he communicated with emergency services for up to 90 minutes before he died.

Investigation findings revealed a toxicology report showed Howard had low levels of heroin, cocaine, and alcohol in his system. He had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and struggled with mental health for several years. Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service found evidence that gas leaked from a flexible hose attaching the cooker to a gas pipe, which had been stretched to the point of failure, according to Watch manager Christopher Trendowicz. A routine electrical spark from the fridge freezer was the most probable cause of the explosion. Assistant coroner Nathanael Hartley said Howard caused damage to the gas cooker hose intentionally but may not have appreciated the dangerousness due to intoxicants affecting his rational thought. The coroner recorded a narrative conclusion that Howard did not intend to end his own life. The exact cause of the gas leak beyond the stretched hose and electrical spark remains unclear.

Police conclusions included the arrest of a 43-year-old on suspicion of murder after the explosion, but the person was later released without charge. Nottinghamshire Police found no evidence of third-party involvement in Howard's death. The landlord's identity and response to the rent increase and subsequent explosion have not been disclosed.

Background on David Howard's residence indicates he had lived at the property for 11 years, according to major media reports.

In a related case, Paul Solway caused an explosion that destroyed his home and damaged five neighboring properties in Eden Street, Alvaston, Derby, in June 2025. Police said Solway disconnected the gas main in the basement and set fire to a chair in his kitchen to cause the blast. He pleaded guilty to six counts of damaging property, being reckless as to whether life was endangered. The explosion caused major damage to Solway's home and two neighboring buildings, which had to be demolished. Derbyshire Police said the explosion was deliberate and caused by ignition of natural gas following deliberate tampering with the gas supply main. Solway was the only person in the property at the time and suffered severe burns. A dog was rescued from the rubble after the explosion. Six further counts of damaging property with intent to endanger life were left on file by the prosecution. According to Insp Ben Wildman, many people were forced to leave their homes for several days due to the explosion. The specific charges and sentencing details for Solway beyond his guilty plea are not yet public, and the current status and recovery of affected residents remain unknown.