Man Jailed for Causing Explosion That Destroyed His Home
A man responsible for an explosion that destroyed his own home and caused damage to five neighbouring properties has been sentenced to prison.
Paul Solway, aged 58, was experiencing a "meltdown" after his partner informed him she wanted him to move out of their shared terraced house on Eden Street, Alvaston, Derby, in June 2025, a court was told.
Derbyshire Police reported that Solway disconnected the gas main in the basement of the property before setting fire to a chair in the kitchen, which triggered the explosion.
Solway pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial in January to six counts of damaging property and recklessness as to whether life was endangered. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison at Derby Crown Court on Wednesday.
The sentencing hearing revealed that emergency services were called to a suspected gas explosion at the house, owned by Solway's partner Joanne Waterfall, on the evening of 10 June.
The blast caused significant damage to the property and two neighbouring buildings, which were later demolished due to the extent of the destruction.
Investigations by Derbyshire Police concluded that the explosion was deliberate, caused by the ignition of natural gas following intentional tampering with the gas supply main.
After disconnecting the gas main in the basement, Solway set fire to a chair in the kitchen, igniting the gas and causing the explosion, authorities stated.
Prosecutor Paul Raudnitz KC described how Solway had been experiencing a "meltdown" and was seen punching a garden fence prior to the explosion. He also told a neighbour, "I am going to be dead by tonight."
Waterfall had already left the property and told Solway he needed to move out, which deeply upset him, the court heard.
Solway was alone in the house at the time of the explosion and sustained severe burns. A dog was also rescued from the debris.
Six additional counts of damaging property with intent to endanger life were left on file by the prosecution.
Impact and Sentencing
Judge Shaun Smith KC described the effects of the blast as "devastating."
"The front wall of your house had been blown out into the street," said Judge Smith.
"People have lost a lot of money, their savings. They are now, some of them, reliant on council-provided accommodation.
"What you did in the end was you affected your community, your own little community on that street. Not one of them escaped the consequences really of what you did that night."
Following the sentencing, Waterfall stated:
"I have got nothing. I have had to start off from absolutely zero. I walked away with one outfit and that was it."
The judge also imposed a restraining order on Solway, prohibiting him from contacting Waterfall.
Community Impact and Police Response
Insp Ben Wildman, local policing inspector for the east of Derby, commented on the significant impact the explosion had on the community.
"The explosion in Eden Street on 10 June last year was caused by Paul Solway's decision to cut the gas pipe in his home," he said.
This incident not only left Solway seriously injured and hospitalised but also had a profound effect on the residents and community of Eden Street and the surrounding area.
"Many people were forced to leave their homes for several days and two adjoining houses to Solway's were so badly damaged they had to be demolished," Insp Wildman added.
"I cannot begin to imagine the distress these families felt at the time and the ongoing impact this is having on them all through no fault of their own.
"To have that taken away from them is devastating and even more so when it was down to an incident like this – a wholly avoidable, selfish and reckless act carried out by Paul Solway.
"I know this incident caused a great deal of destruction and distress but by working together we were able to make sure that everyone affected was well looked after.
"I hope everyone is now able to look forward to the future and I'm pleased that Solway is now facing the consequences of his dangerous and careless actions on this day."
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