Cardiff flats explosion victim is named a month later

A man who died in an explosion in a Cardiff block of flats last month has been named.

Norman Charlton, 54, died at his home in Lydstep Crescent, off Western Avenue, Gabalfa, on 6 May.

Homes were evacuated following the explosion, which was described by a fire officer as one of the worst house fires he had seen.

An inquest previously opened and adjourned will now go ahead in full on 5 October.

Emergency services were called to Mr Charlton's home at 1242 BST on 6 May following the explosion, described by eye witness Sharon Broad as "an almighty bang".

"The windows were blown out and neighbours saw a sofa fly out of the window," she said.

"The noise was so loud and I could see flames coming out of the flat.

"There are a lot of single old people in the flats.

"It was an almighty bang it sounded dreadful and was horrible to see."

Mick Flanagan, from South Wales Fire and Rescue investigation unit, described it as one of the worst house fires he had ever attended.

The blast, which happened on the day of the general election, took place close to a polling station in Gabalfa but did not cause problems.