Beverley Richardson’s life changed when a neighbour caused an explosion two doors down in Eden Street
Sophie Fagone Buscimese Trainee Reporter
06:00, 08 Feb 2026
Beverley Richardson’s home was severely damaged in the explosion in June 2025.
Eight months on from an incident which shocked a Derby community to its core, one resident is still suffering the consequences.
In June 2025, a gas explosion in a terraced property on Eden Street, Alvaston, destroyed three homes and a fourth had significant damage to its roof.
On January 29, Paul Solway admitted to having caused the explosion on what was supposed to be the first day of his trial.
Whilst for most residents life has returned to normal, Beverley Richardson, who lives two doors down from the house where the explosion took place has still not been able to go home.
She instead has been forced to move in with her 88-year-old mother while she waits for the damage to her house to be repaired.
The ceiling in her bathroom was ripped off in the explosion, and is now covered by a plane.
“It’s taken months for even the scaffolding to go up,” she said.
“Now the work has finally started, but I don’t expect anything to be finished before Easter as the whole roof will have to be redone, my house has suffered a lot of water damage, and all my furniture has been ruined.”
Beverley recalled the evening of the explosion as a moment that had caused her to “not be the same since”.
“I had just put my PJs on, was sitting in the lounge and eating some cheesecake, and all of a sudden I heard this loud bang,” she said.
“And then I felt the blast. It went right through me, and my body has not been the same since.”
Beverley’s home will be repaired over the coming months.
She initially thought something had “come down” on the houses, having witnessed a plane crash a number of years prior.
“I ran outside, absolutely panicked, and didn’t know what to do or where to go.
“I tried to phone my children, I was so scared. Police then got us away from the houses, and I managed to get hold of my children and go to their home for the night.”
After the explosion, Beverley thought her house would have to be demolished and she was not allowed access until it was structurally safe.
“I was left with nothing. I had to buy myself all new clothes and everything.
“It was only a while later I was allowed back in with someone from the council, and it was just terrifying to see the extent of the damage.”
The hole in the roof caused by the explosion was covered up but most of her upstairs furniture has been damaged beyond repair.
From her window, the rubble left behind by the demolished houses can be seen.
Her bathroom is now empty, with the roof structure exposed, and the stairs are covered in dirt.
“It hurts to see my home like this, and I can’t wait for it to be repaired,” she said.
“But at the same time I’m not sure if I can bear to return.
“My late husband and I bought this house together nine years ago. We struggled to find the right place and then we walked into this house and it immediately felt like a warm hug.
“There was just something special to it, a place that felt like home.
“I don’t know how it’s going to be when I come back here, though.
“Maybe it will be all okay, maybe I will have to leave a few months down the line. But you’ve got to give yourself a chance.”
Repairs and replacement of her furniture are covered by her insurance – although an exact cost for them is not yet known – and residents of the street organised a fundraising event in October 2025 to support her further.
“It was absolutely heartwarming and meant a lot to me that everyone came together for my support,” Beverley said.
“If the explosion has done one good thing, it’s that it has improved our community and brought us all closer. We set up a WhatsApp groupchat and now talk all the time.”
