Man faces charges after 3 hurt in restaurant blast

Three people suffered serious burns in the March 2023 blast at a restaurant unit in Chester

A man is set to be charged with arson after three people were seriously injured in an explosion during the fitting out of a restaurant.

Mark Blackburn, 39, is accused of arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, as well as breaching gas and health and safety rules.

The charges follow a joint investigation between Cheshire Constabulary and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the blast at the Turtle Bay restaurant unit in Chester city centre on 29 March 2023.

Mr Blackburn, of Ossett in West Yorkshire, is due to appear before Chester Magistrates' Court on 18 October.

Cheshire Police said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had authorised the force and the Health and Safety Executive to charge Mr Blackburn, of Wakefield Road, with:

• arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered

• a number of breaches of the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act

• multiple violations of regulations under the 1998 Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations

Three people were taken to hospital after the explosion, which happened shortly before 18:30.

Chester market and other buildings nearby were evacuated, while road closures were put in place.