House explosion 'likely caused' by flammable gas

The inspectorate said loss adjusters were now able to access the terraced houses

Flammable gas was the likely cause of a house explosion in Jersey earlier this year, investigators have said.

Two people were taken to hospital after the explosion at a terraced house in the Mont Pinel area of St Saviour on 26 June.

The island fire service said after its own investigation it was "reasonable to conclude" the explosion occurred due to the ignition of built-up flammable gas and air.

Island Energy said it was visiting customers to survey meters as an extra precaution.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Inspectorate into the explosion was ongoing.

Chief Minister Deputy Lyndon Farnham said the government was supporting those affected by the explosion.

"We would like to thank the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service and Health and Safety Inspectorate for their investigations into the explosion at Mont Pinel," he said.

"Our thoughts remain with all those impacted."

Island Energy said: "We are visiting customers to survey active and inactive meters over the next few weeks as an extra precaution.

"Over the past three years we have been working with a specialist independent UK gas organisation to review our mains replacement programme as part of our broader safety programme."

The fire service and the inspectorate said loss adjusters were able to access the properties "to help the families and their insurers begin to rebuild and return to their homes".

Network survey

Island Energy said the firm acknowledged the results of the investigation and it continued to work with authorities.

"We are unable to comment further until we receive the forensic results of the Health and Safety Inspectorate report," it said.

"As part of our broader safety programme in Jersey, we are conducting an additional survey of the network.

"Households and business customers will soon receive a letter informing them of a visit, explaining why we are conducting the surveys, and the procedure."