Arrest After House Blast Seriously Injures Man

Police have arrested a 43-year-old man following an explosion at a house in Gloucestershire.

Officers are questioning him on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and burglary.

A 43-year-old man was alone at the semi-detached property, in the Forest of Dean town of Coleford, when the blast occurred on Saturday morning.

He was rescued from the house by fire crews and taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol suffering from serious injuries.

According to a police spokesman, he underwent surgery yesterday.

"The property is being examined by structural engineers and the cause of the explosion is being investigated," the spokesman added.

Specialists from the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, along with police detectives, have resumed their inspection of the property.