Gas blast caused by failings that led to evacuation

A company and contractor have been fined after a gas main explosion led to the evacuation of 30 homes in a village.

Residents in Wessington, Derbyshire, were forced to leave their properties on 21 June 2022 after Elliot Kirk struck the underground gas main while installing fencing, causing the explosion.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the blast led to more than two million kilogrammes of gas being released, putting the 30 homes in the surrounding area at risk of fire and explosion.

Belper Skip Hire Limited and contractor Kirk were both fined at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court on 2 December for health and safety breaches leading up to the explosion.

Firefighters from across the county attended the explosion in Brackenfield Lane

Kirk, of Plainspot Road in Nottinghamshire, had been installing fencing around Belper Skip Hire Limited's farm in Brackenfield Lane after being contracted by the company.

He was using a mechanical post knocker to install the fencing when the explosion occurred, the HSE said.

At the time, Alfreton Community Fire Station said Kirk was "completely fine, just a little shook up".

The HSE's investigation found the company, of Ascot Drive in Derby, was made aware of the location of the gas main, and had been advised by Cadent - the asset owner - a month before the blast that no ground penetrating works were to be carried out in the vicinity.

After "acknowledging receipt of this information", the company did not pass this on to Kirk and allowed the work to continue, the HSE said.

Kirk failed to obtain underground service diagrams prior to starting the work, and "failed to take any other steps" to check if the gas main pipe was underneath the ground.

'Failed in their duties'

Belper Skip Hire Limited pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act and was fined £26,667 and ordered to pay £3,173 in costs.

Kirk pleaded guilty to breaching construction regulations, and was fined £800 and ordered to pay £3,173 in costs.

HSE inspector Sinead Martin said both Kirk and Belper Skip Hire "failed in their duties" and put Kirk and residents at "serious risk".

"It is extremely fortunate that this incident did not result in serious injury; had the gas ignited, the resulting explosion would have been catastrophic," the inspector added.

"Prior to breaking ground, contractors must take suitable steps to check for the presence of underground services.

"Commercial clients have a duty to pass on all relevant pre-construction information within their possession to contractors to enable them to manage the risks."