Gas warning after house explosion

A weakened pipe joint is blamed for the gas leak that led to the blast

People with gas supplies in basements or cellars are being warned to ensure they have adequate ventilation as a result of an explosion in Kent.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued the warning after the blast in Faversham in which a woman was hurt.

Gas had leaked out into the cellar of the house in Abbey Street because of a weak pipe joint and then ignited.

Now the HSE is urging residents to have their cellar gas supplies checked when other appliances are serviced.

'Flammable mixture'

Elsie Howard, 86, was badly injured in the explosion in June.

The HSE said the gas had leaked from the gas meter outlet in the cellar because of the weak joint where a pipe had been soldered

An HSE spokesman said: "The gas spread into the ground floor rooms to create a flammable mixture, which most likely ignited when the occupant of the property switched on a kettle in the kitchen."

The property was rented, but the HSE said the landlord had met all obligations under gas safety regulations to have appliances checked.

"Such incidents are extremely rare, but in light of this incident, HSE believe it would be prudent for any householder with a basement or cellar which contains a gas supply, that has not been checked in the last couple of years, to have it inspected," the spokesman said.