Plumber causes Gas Explosion

A Wolverhampton plumber has been given a 10 month suspended jail sentence for causing a gas explosion and fire in which a pensioner sustained 21 per cent burns whilst rescuing his young granddaughter.

Peter Naylor, of Wednesfield, removed the gas meter at the property to reach a leaking water stopcock he was repairing in December 2010. He then left the property to purchase a replacement stopcock fitting.

Shortly after leaving the property, a gas explosion caused a fire which engulfed the home.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that Mr Naylor was not registered with the Gas Safe Register to work on gas appliances.

Mr Davies suffered severe burns to his face, neck and hands and had to undergo skin grafts to his arm and hand.

Plumber, Peter Naylor pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and was given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to carry out 150 hours' unpaid work and pay £2,000 costs.

HSE inspector, Pamela Folsom said: "This case is a warning to unregistered individuals that they should never undertake gas work under any circumstances. Anybody who carries out work on meters, boilers, hobs, ovens, fires or any other gas appliances without being on the Gas Safe Register is breaking the law. His incompetence caused an explosion that could easily have been fatal, and the resulting fire left Mr Davies with serious burns and a home so badly damaged that it had to be demolished."