WEDDED BLITZ...
Antiques dealer held for blast at ex’s home on day he was being kicked out
AN ANTIQUES dealer has been arrested after allegedly blowing up the marital home he shared with his ex-wife on the day he was due to be kicked out.
Ian Clowes, 66, was pulled out of the wreckage after a reported gas explosion tore the roof off their £195,000 house in Poole, Dorset, on Monday afternoon.
He was taken to hospital with serious injuries but his wife Elaine, 63, escaped relatively unscathed.
Neighbours described how black smoke billowed out across the street following the explosion, which reduced much of the semi to rubble.
Vanessa Joshua said: ‘There was debris strewn across the road. I thank my lucky stars we didn’t drive past a couple of minutes earlier.’
Mr and Mrs Clowes are understood to have become embroiled in a messy divorce after separating two years ago and dividing the house between them.
Twice-married Mr Clowes – who lived in the top-floor flat – was said to have refurbished the bottom floor apartment in order to Shock: Elaine Clowes at a neighbour’s house yesterday sell it. However, neighbours said his wife refused to co-operate and Mr Clowes was due to be evicted on the day of the explosion after losing a legal fight. One said: ‘He was hoping they would go off amicably but he said she remained awkward.’
Mr Clowes was arrested at hospital on suspicion of criminal damage with intent to endanger life. He has since been released under investigation as he is not currently in a fit state to be interviewed, said police. They added their investigation focused on gas cylinders found in the property.