Man jailed for 11 years after deliberately blowing up his Derby home

A Derby man has been jailed for 11 years after orchestrating a gas explosion that obliterated his own residence and caused extensive damage to nearby homes.

Deliberate Act of Destruction

Paul Solway, 58, disconnected the gas main in the basement of his Eden Street, Alvaston, property before setting fire to a chair in his kitchen, initiating a powerful blast on 10 June 2025. This reckless act resulted in the total destruction of his home and significant damage to five others, two of which subsequently required demolition.

Derbyshire Police investigations confirmed the explosion was a deliberate act, stemming from tampering with the gas supply. Solway, the only person present at the time, sustained severe burns in the incident; a dog was also rescued from the debris.

Community Impact and Sentencing

Mr Solway, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial in January to six counts of damaging property, being reckless as to whether life was endangered. He received his 11-year sentence at Derby Crown Court on Wednesday.

Inspector Ben Wildman of Derbyshire Police highlighted the profound impact of Solway's actions on the community, stating, "This incident not only left him seriously injured in hospital but had a huge impact on the residents and the community of Eden Street." Many residents were displaced, and the distress caused by the loss of homes was considerable. Wildman condemned Solway's actions as "wholly avoidable, selfish and reckless," expressing hope that the community can now move forward, and that Solway's sentencing brings some closure.