A woman who was killed in an explosion that caused a fire in a block of flats, injuring three other people, deliberately started the blaze, detectives have concluded.
Resident Reena James died, and three others were taken to hospital, in what was described as an “inferno” in the three-storey block in Bedford’s Redwood Grove on 4 July.
All the evidence suggested the 42-year-old was “solely responsible” for the blaze, according to a two-month investigation by Bedfordshire police. The force is not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.
Residents who remain displaced from their homes were updated on the investigation at a community meeting held on Thursday night, police said.
Ch Supt John Murphy said: “We have been determined to find the cause of the explosion.
“While there remains some laboratory testing to be completed, the very clear indication from everything we have discovered is that it was a deliberate criminal act of arson, targeted at a specific flat.
“Our investigation has found that entry was likely to have been forced into that flat, after which several areas were doused in a flammable liquid.
“The vapour from this accelerant became so great that, when it was ignited, it caused an explosion followed by the fire which took hold of the building.”
He added: “Forensic evidence, coupled with other inquiries, leads us to believe that Reena James, who was a resident elsewhere in the block, was solely responsible.
“We are therefore not looking for anyone else in connection with this crime.”
He also thanked residents for their support and patience during the investigation.
Murphy said: “We do not underestimate the impact it has had on them, and we are providing them all with support as victims of crime.
“We are also continuing to support the family of Ms James.”
The force said that, once the investigation has been completed, a file will be passed to the coroner for a full inquest to be held to establish how James died.
The East of England ambulance service (EEAS) said at the time that there had been three hospital admissions, one of whom was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge with leg injuries.
The other two, including a firefighter, were taken to Bedford hospital with smoke inhalation.
