Derbyshire Man Faces Prison for Deliberate Gas Explosion That Destroyed Three Homes
A man is facing a substantial prison sentence after deliberately causing a catastrophic explosion described by residents as "earthquake-like", which resulted in the destruction of three residential properties. Paul Solway, 57, entered guilty pleas to six serious charges of damaging property with intent to endanger life during a hearing at Derby Crown Court.
Catastrophic Scene and Emergency Response
The incident occurred at approximately 7:34 PM on June 10, 2025, at Solway's residence on Eden Street in the Alvaston area of Derby. Emergency services, including police, fire crews, and gas engineers, rushed to the scene following the enormous blast. They worked for over seventeen hours in a complex rescue and containment operation.
Solway and his dog were successfully extracted from the rubble of his completely collapsed home. He sustained severe burns requiring several weeks of hospital treatment, while his pet dog made a full recovery. The force of the explosion was so immense that his property and two neighbouring homes were rendered structurally unsound and subsequently had to be demolished.
Deliberate Act and Community Impact
Derbyshire Police detectives established that the explosion was a deliberate act. Their investigation revealed that Solway, who was alone in the house at the time, had been tampering with the gas supply main. Despite this finding, when arrested, Solway claimed to have no memory of the day's events and denied interfering with the gas apparatus.
The blast forced the immediate evacuation of Eden Street residents, who were displaced from their homes for several days. The shockwaves caused widespread disruption, with one resident, Christina Harrison, recounting to the Daily Mail: "I've never heard anything like it before... The bang went off and I just didn't know where to run." Another local described the sensation as "like an earthquake", noting that the power momentarily failed across the area.
Court Appearance and Pending Sentence
Appearing in court with visible injuries, his arms and hands still bandaged, Solway, who is currently of no fixed address, formally admitted his guilt. The court heard that his actions had an enormous impact on the local community. Detective Constable Shaun Carter of Derbyshire Police stated: "Solway's actions on this day were not only reckless but incredibly dangerous... Some people lost their homes, while others had damage to their properties or vehicles."
DC Carter expressed the hope that Solway would "spend a considerable period of time behind bars facing the consequences of his actions." The judge remanded Solway in custody and adjourned the case for sentencing, which is scheduled for April 8, where a custodial sentence is anticipated.
