Explosion-damaged flats' refurb nearing completion

Andium Homes said it was aiming to get 21 one-bedroom flats at the Haut du Mont site ready by the end of 2025

Flats damaged in the Haut Du Mont explosion should be ready for new tenants by the end of 2025, according to the States of Jersey's housing company.

Andium Homes's annual report said the refurbishment of 21 one-bedroom apartments at the residential block commenced earlier this year.

An explosion during the early hours of 10 December 2022, killed 10 residents and destroyed several homes in the area.

Ian Gallichan, Andium Homes' chief executive, said the company had consulted with bereaved relatives and displaced residents over the homes, which would be renamed Vue du Port.

Ten residents were killed during an explosion at Haut du Mont in December 2022

The 10 people who died as a result of the explosion were: Ken Ralph, 72, Jane Ralph, 71, Peter Bowler, 72, Raymond Brown, 71, Romeu de Almeida, 67, Louise de Almeida, 64, Derek Ellis, 61, Sylvia Ellis, 73, Billy Marsden, 62, and Kathleen McGinness, 73.

Ms McGinness, who lived in a building adjacent to the Haut du Mont flats, was taken to hospital but died on Christmas Day 2022.

Mr Gallichan said Andium House's thoughts remained with everyone who had been affected by the "tragic incident".

He added: "Refurbishment of the homes commenced at the beginning of this year and will be completed and ready to be re-occupied at the end of 2025."

Mr Gallichan said the land where the destroyed buildings once stood had been transferred to the government for a memorial to be created.

Andium Homes said the homes would be renamed Vue du Port

Last month, the government's complaints board committed to an external review into the handling of the explosion after "serious concerns" were raised by bereaved relatives.

Neil Armstrong, 56, Lee Ward, 57, and John Wright, 59, who all worked for the gas supplier Island Energy at the time of the explosion, have all denied 10 counts of gross negligence manslaughter.

In a separate case, Jersey Gas Company Ltd, which trades as Island Energy, pleaded not guilty to two separate criminal charges of not ensuring the health and safety of employees, and not ensuring the health and safety of those not in the company's employment.

Jersey's Royal Court will consider whether to hear the charges against the three gas workers and Island Energy in one trial before the former are next due to appear in court on 1 October.