Windows around the market place were shattered by the blast

The market square was cordoned off after the blast on Saturday morning, caused by a gas cylinder exploding and killing the 33-year-old man.

Nearby buildings and were damaged, but Durham Police hope to allow families to return to their homes before tonight.

The road running through the town re-opened on Sunday night.

Wreckage and broken glass was strewn across the town centre, near Bishop Auckland, on Saturday.

Much worse

It is believed the blast was caused by an oxy-acetylene cylinder exploding in the van.

The cylinder was cooled for 24 hours before being removed.

Several residents who live close to the market place were forced to move out of their homes after the explosion, but most of the buildings nearby are commercial properties.

Windows were blown out by the force of the blast, but the extent of any structural damage is still unknown.

A Durham Police spokesman described the incident as "tragic", but said it could have been much worse had it happened later in the day.

No-one else was hurt in the explosion on the town's Front Street.