29.10.07. 8.54am. TWO people have died in an explosion at a house in Axbridge over the weekend.

TWO people have died in an explosion at a house in Axbridge over the weekend.

Fire, ambulance crews and police attended St Mary Street at around 3pm on Saturday.

Police sealed off the area outside The Georgian House, after initial reports suggested a gas explosion had taken place.

Police ruled out this theory on Sunday and are now investigating the possibility that an accelerant might have been the cause of the blast.

Detective sergeant Colin Horne, of Taunton CID, said: "We are investigating the cause of the fire and the deaths of two people. On thing we are investigating is the possibility of an accelerant being used."

"We are asking that anyone who was in the area between 2-3pm on Saturday to contact us at Taunton CID on 01823 363252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111."

Carolyn Hoyle-Johnson, landlady of the nearby Crown Inn, said: "There was a very large boom at about 3pm. There was glass on the road which was swept up by my husband, Ian. Then customers noticed smoke coming from the back of the building and called the emergency services."

"An awful lot of people are upset and are walking around shell-shocked."

The road outside the house was re-opened at 6.40pm last night and residents were allowed to return to their homes.

A post-mortem is being carried out and inquests into the deaths are expected to be opened later this week.