Man admits arson after home destroyed in explosion

A man has admitted an arson offence after an explosion and fire which destroyed a home in rural Lancashire.

The blaze at the bungalow on Carr Lane in Hambleton broke out at about 09:55 GMT on 27 March, followed by what neighbours described as a "loud bang".

Darren Davies, 55, of Carr Lane, admitted arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered at Preston Crown Court.

He will be sentenced at the same court on 30 July.

The single-storey property was levelled in the blast, which neighbour Jeffrey Harrison-Turner said "sounded like two large vehicles had crashed into each other".

Firefighters picked through the debris at the property, which Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said had been "fully engulfed in flames".

The fire service said it was believed there were "some gas cylinders" at the home which may have caused the explosion.

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