Fire crews had to wait several hours to get access to the interior of the building in Valley View Road, Riddings, near Alfreton, after a fire broke out early on Sunday.

Neighbours said they feared people were inside and later in the day police said firefighters had managed to enter the home where they discovered a man and a woman dead in one of the bedrooms.

Derbyshire Police's Chief Inspector Steve Pont said: "We've been able to make the house safe and search the property and I can confirm that unfortunately there are two bodies in the property.

"We believe that it's the husband and wife that live at the property but we've not been able to formerly identify them at this time

"We do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances. However, we are in the very early stages of our investigation.

"We've got a difficult job ahead of us now but while we are doing that we are all thinking about the families."

Six fire engines, including an aerial ladder platform and a command support unit, were sent to the scene in shortly after the blast was reported at 7.30am.

Images show much of the roof of the house blown off and blackened wooden beams showing through underneath.

Firecrew were unable to access the building for several hours as it was deemed too dangerous to enter.

A team of structural engineers was sent to the scene to advise on safety.

A number of ambulances were also sent to the scene.

Neighbours have told the local paper the Derby Evening Telegraph that they heard an explosion that sounded like a "woof" and rubble going into a tip before seeing a large plume of smoke going into the air.