Did you ever find out the cause?
Andy
A big bang. A very big bang
I don't think we'll ever find out for definate, dispite have Fire Service forensics and the insurance forensics teams out.
TBH, I get a feeling that these guys, as nobody, miraculously, was physically hurt, were more interested in checking for malicious activity, or a feud between neighbours. Many OOFers have met my neighbour, so know how unlikely that is.
The Fire Service believe that an electrical fire started, setting off a half used 1.8kg 904 campingaz cylinder (the one I use on the camping heater, for those that have been to camping meets).
The insurance forensics blieve the (same) cylinder leaked, and then the gas was ignited.
Given the sequence of events, I'm more towards the insurance forensics sequence of events. The Fire Service investigator was a spitting image of Marks DTM, both in looks, speech and mannerisms. MDTM - do you have a twin bro called Neil? If not, quiz your dad, I think you have a half brother