A woman killed in an explosion in a block of flats is believed to have started the fire deliberately.
Neighbours were evacuated from the Redwood Grove flats in Bedford following the incident on July 4, with reports of people jumping from their homes to escape the flames.
Victim Reena James, 42, was found dead when emergency services searched the three-storey building.
Since the explosion a team of detectives have been working alongside Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service to discover the cause.
They told a community meeting they believe Reena started the fire deliberately in a neighbour’s flat, and was killed in the attempt, Bedfordshire Live reported.
Chief Superintendent John Murphy from Bedfordshire Police said: "We have been determined to find the cause of the explosion.
“Whilst there remains some laboratory testing to be completed, the very clear indication from everything we have discovered is that it was a deliberate criminal act of arson, targeted at a specific flat.
"Our investigation has found entry was likely to have been forced into that flat, after which several areas were doused in a flammable liquid.
“The vapour from this accelerant became so great that, when it was ignited, it caused an explosion followed by the fire which took hold of the building.
"Forensic evidence, coupled with other enquiries, leads us to believe that Reena James, who was a resident elsewhere in the block, was solely responsible.”
Bedfordshire Police confirmed officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the crime.
C/Supt Murphy added: "We remain incredibly grateful for the support and patience of residents whilst the investigation has been carried out.
“We do not underestimate the impact it has had on them, and we are providing them all with support as victims of crime.
“We are also continuing to support to the family of Ms James."
Once the investigation has been completed, a file will be passed to the coroner for a full inquest to be held to establish how Reena James died.
At the time neighbour Karina Caetano told how she rescued her Chihuahua after hearing the huge explosion above her two-bedroom apartment.
She said: “I was sitting in my living room and I heard an explosion above me. I can’t explain the sound, it was shocking.
“I looked out of the window and saw bricks on the grass in the common area. Then I put my head out, looked up and saw a hole in the building.
“I grabbed my keys and ran outside barefoot. When I realised it was real and not a dream I ran back inside the house.
“The corridor was full of smoke. I started knocking on my neighbours’ doors. One of my neighbours was directly below where the explosion was.
“I banged on her door and it opened. I walked into her apartment yelling for her. It was full of smoke and I couldn’t see her.”
