One dead and three rushed to hospital after explosion in Bedford

Published: 22:56, 23 July 2026 | Updated: 23:21, 23 July 2026 A man has died and three people have been rushed to hospital after a suspected explosion at an industrial unit. Emergency services raced to the scene on Brunel Road in Bedford at just before 4pm on Thursday and remained for several hours. The three injured victims received treatment at a hospital.  Fire crews left at around 7pm and officers will stay on site until the investigation is handed over to the Health and Safety Executive. Police said roads in the area have been reopened after initially closing them and an initial cordon which was put in place has now been stood down. Local witnesses wrote on social media describing the incident as sounding 'like a bomb' or 'a shooting'. One said: 'I was walking at Priory Marina and heard it. It sounded like a bomb going off, so must have been quite a big explosion if gas. Thoughts are with all involved.' Another wrote: 'Did sound like an explosion of some sort, followed by the sound of lots of debris falling'.  Emergency services raced to the scene on Brunel Road in Bedford at just before 4pm on Thursday and remained for several hours A third commented: 'I was at Priory country park with my daughter for a walk this afternoon and heard the bang which I thought was a firework going off my daughter thought it was a shooting.'  Bedfordshitre Police said: 'Roads have now reopened following an earlier incident at an industrial unit on Brunel Road in Bedford. 'An initial cordon was put in place following reports of a suspected explosion for the safety of the public, which has now also been stood down. 'One man died at the scene and three others have been taken to hospital to receive medical treatment. 'Officers will remain on site until the investigation is handed over to the Health and Safety Executive in due course. 'We ask everyone to respect the family and friends of everyone involved and not to speculate on this post.'