Police now think a gas leak was the most likely cause of an explosion which killed a man and destroyed two houses in Harrow.
Officers had been investigating the incident as possible murder after initial enquiries suggested a substance poured through the letterbox of number 21 Stanley Road might have caused the explosion.
But, police have now said no evidence points to this being a factor.
Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton said in a statement: 'We are now satisfied that this was not a cause of, nor a contributory factor to, the explosion.
'None of the information gathered in the past few days supports the theory of explosives, or similar devices, nor a deliberate act to cause an explosion.'
“Instead, there were early signs that a build-up of gas may have been the cause.
'Although there was no gas appliance in use at No. 21, there was a supply - and a meter - which had been unused for some years.
'Preliminary indications are that a large volume of gas may have passed through the meter on May 7, and it is this which has now become the focus of our investigation.'
The body of Emmad Qureshi, 26, was found among the rubble of the neighbouring property. He had died of a wound to the neck caused by falling debris.
A 26-year-old friend of Mr Qureshi, who has not been named, suffered head and arm injuries and is still in hospital where his condition is described as stable.
Officers had been investigating the incident as possible murder after initial enquiries suggested a substance poured through the letterbox of number 21 Stanley Road might have caused the explosion.
But, police have now said no evidence points to this being a factor.
Detective Chief Inspector Colin Sutton said in a statement: 'We are now satisfied that this was not a cause of, nor a contributory factor to, the explosion.
'None of the information gathered in the past few days supports the theory of explosives, or similar devices, nor a deliberate act to cause an explosion.'
“Instead, there were early signs that a build-up of gas may have been the cause.
'Although there was no gas appliance in use at No. 21, there was a supply - and a meter - which had been unused for some years.
'Preliminary indications are that a large volume of gas may have passed through the meter on May 7, and it is this which has now become the focus of our investigation.'
The body of Emmad Qureshi, 26, was found among the rubble of the neighbouring property. He had died of a wound to the neck caused by falling debris.
A 26-year-old friend of Mr Qureshi, who has not been named, suffered head and arm injuries and is still in hospital where his condition is described as stable.
You might also like...
Government will 'remind British Gas of responsibilities' over Boiler Plus
Company has said any customers deciding against full compliance with mandatory efficiency standards are given detailed notes on additional work required; onus currently on local authorities to police
Fatal injury statistics show quadrupled risk among older workers
Provisional data from HSE shows that risk of fatality for workers over 60 is disproportionately high
Audit committee demands formation of post-Brexit UK environmental watchdog
New report says that an independent auditor that can take public bodies to court over failure to meet key targets in areas such as decarbonisation is needed outside the EU
Self-employed gas fitter jailed for 16 months for faking Gas Safe Registration
Richard Trezise produced Landlord’s Gas Safety Certificates using the registration number of another business who had never heard of him.
