Couple found dead after explosion at Nelson home, inquest hears

An elderly couple who were found dead in their home following an explosion have been named.

Marlene Mumford, 84, and William John Mumford, 90, died in a fire at the property in Heol Fawr in Nelson, Caerphilly, separate inquest openings at Gwent Coroner’s Court heard on Monday.

The court was told emergency services struggled to enter the property on 12 December 2025 due to “the extent of the fire, structural issues and concerns for safety”.

When firefighters entered the house “the two people who lived there were discovered”.

Marlene Mumford, a former factory worker born in Nelson, was identified earlier this month through DNA analysis carried out by forensic scientists.

William John Mumford, a former coalminer born in Rhymney, was also identified by DNA.

Senior coroner for Gwent Caroline Saunders said there were “no suspicious circumstances and no suspected third-party involvement”.

She said a provisional post-mortem examination gave a cause of death for both as “exposure to combustion products of fire”.

The inquests were adjourned while investigations continue and full hearings are scheduled to take place in October.

Gwent Police previously said the explosion occurred in the garden of the property.

Speaking afterwards, councillor Eifion ap Llwyd Dafydd said everyone in the community was “sad” and described the incident as “tragic”.