Family 'let down' over inquest into fatal explosion

An inquest in Swansea is looking into the circumstances surrounding the devastating explosion

The family of a man killed in a house explosion said they feel "let down" by the authorities over "major mistakes" in the subsequent investigation, an inquest has heard.

Brian Davies, 68, was killed in an explosion in his home on 13 March 2023, on Clydach Road, Morriston in Swansea, which sent debris across the road and nearby streets.

On day four of an inquest into Mr Davies death, Swansea Guildhall heard that much of the evidence from the scene was "compromised and incomplete" and the cause of the explosion will never be fully known, as evidence was removed from the scene.

Three other people nearby, including a 14-year-old boy living in the house next door, were taken to hospital.

Mr Davies, a grandfather-of-three, who worked in the construction industry, had rented the one-bedroom end of terrace property for about four years before his death.

Ricky Davies, Mr Davies' son, told the court: "As a family we feel major mistakes have been made and we have been massively let down by the authorities losing evidence.

"We hope that harsh lessons have been learned and others don't have to endure the heartache we have had to face."

Wales and West Utilities, which maintains the gas network across Wales and the south-west of England, was represented during the inquest, and the Health and Safety Executive was also in attendance.

Harry Lambert, representing Wales and West, said the police had "absolute" responsibility for the gathering of evidence at the scene of the explosion and claimed there was no suggestion of problems with the network.

He added: "The evidence is compromised and incomplete. There is no evidence at all that the mains were the cause of the gas explosion."

Grandfather-of-three Brian Davies, 68, died in a fatal explosion in his home on 13 March 2023

However, James Rutherford, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector told jury members it was not possible to be certain of the cause due to lack of evidence, which was removed from the scene.

"It was typical of a severe gas explosion," he said, adding: "It's all sadly theories we have.

"But there's no indication it could have been anything other than a gas explosion."

Mr Rutherford described being greeted with "the scene of devastation" after arriving at Clydach Road the day after the blast.

"Possessions were strewn around the street" and "bits of roof and insulation were at the side of the road", he added.

It was "a matter of fact" there was a leak in a gas main close to the house and this was "a viable cause for explosion", according to HSE principal gas engineer Stephen Critchlow.

He added: "But I cannot rule out a gas leak existing within the house, that evidence has been lost."

He described it as "a source of frustration" he was not requested to go to the site straight away, because by the time he arrived on 14 March, the "pattern of damage and crucial appliances had been removed".

He told the jury explosions of this nature were rare.

This would mean most people responding would have never dealt with a similar situation before, he added.

"It's completely understandable that they would make decisions which would counter my investigations," he said, explaining what had happened before he arrived.

The jury inquest has now heard all the evidence.

Following legal arguments on Friday, the jury is expected to retire on Monday to consider its verdict.