Reena James, 42, died in the incident at Redwood Grove on the morning of 4 July, which resulted in two other injuries, a firefighter being hospitalized for smoke inhalation, and the destruction of more than 20 flats and much of the building’s roof. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service described the blaze as a “major incident” at the time, with six appliances, two water carriers, and an incident command unit deployed.
Police believe that Ms. James forced her way into a neighboring flat and doused several areas with a flammable liquid. The vapor from the accelerant became so great that, when it was ignited, it caused an explosion followed by the fire which took hold of the building.
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Chief Superintendent John Murphy from Bedfordshire Police said: “We have been determined to find the cause of the explosion. While there remains some laboratory testing to be completed, the very clear indication from everything we have discovered is that it was a deliberate criminal act of arson, targeted at a specific flat."
“Forensic evidence, coupled with other inquiries, leads us to believe that Reena James, who was a resident elsewhere in the block, was solely responsible.”
The findings follow a two-month police investigation together with investigators from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and “several leading experts from around the country.”