Building control and emergency services join forces at devastating gas explosion at Birstall, Leicestershire

At 7:30am on Monday 11 December a gas explosion ripped through a property in Birstall, Leicester.

The incident was apparently caused by the failure of an internal gas pipe laid in the floor of the property, where the escaping gas was being ignited by the gas ignition system on the cooker.

The explosion seriously injured the person looking after the property and killed a neighbour, 79 year old Mrs Jasper, also injuring her husband.

The blast destroyed the property at the seat of the explosion and left less than half the neighbouring semi standing. Another seven houses suffered significant damage with a further 31 properties receiving varying levels of damage.

The role of building control

While the press and TV coverage competed to interview a high ranking uniformed officer and focussed on the tragic death and injuries, it was left to the Charnwood District Council Building Control team to deal with the aftermath of the devastation.

Staff were on site by 8.30am to assess the impact of the explosion on adjoining properties and making the site safe.

Building Control Manager Andy Beard said, "this was a very complex situation made all the more complicated after the site was made a potential crime scene, once it became apparent that Mrs Jasper was unlikely to survive.”

This change in the site status prevented work on demolishing the most damaged properties being carried out until the investigation was finished. Roofs and windows took the brunt of the pressure wave as it passed over the houses, with debris from the blast being spread over a 100m radius from the seat of explosion.

An enormous clean-up operation followed, with building control leading on securing the site and making safe the most badly affected properties. Some residents were able to return to their houses after 48 hours once services were restored.

By 22 December most of the blast site had been cleared and tidied and all that remains of the house are the floor slabs. Over 40 properties were inspected, with documented damage found to 38 of them. Work continues with the insurance companies to facilitate the necessary repairs.

Working together at a difficult time

Andy Beard concluded, "this has been an intense period for our team and I'd like to thank them all for their efforts with a special mention to Principle Steve Mann who managed the incident on site, working closely with our support contractor AR Demolition whose assistance was invaluable".

"AR Demolition made heavy plant and manpower available on site less than four hours after the initial explosion. They also supported the emergency services investigating the scene by moving and removing debris to allow investigators to inspect."

All those involved would like to take this opportunity to pass on our condolences to the family of Mrs Jasper and others affected by the explosion”.

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