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The cause of a house explosion that resulted in the death of Brian Davies, 68, on Clydach Road in Morriston, Swansea, remains unknown as evidence crucial to determining the blast’s origin was removed from the scene. Three others were hospitalized, including a 14-year-old boy from the neighboring house. The jury at Swansea Guildhall arrived at a narrative conclusion due to the absence of concrete evidence.
Coroner Aled Gruffydd expressed regret for not being able to ascertain the cause of the explosion and acknowledged the frustration of Mr. Davies’ family, who were left with unanswered questions due to the removal of vital evidence. The courts will be contacting the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the police regarding the preservation of evidence for future investigations. The inquest revealed that much of the evidence was compromised and incomplete due to procedures followed in the search for Mr. Davies, whose body was found in the ruins of his kitchen six hours after the explosion.
The family of Mr. Davies voiced disappointment in the authorities for what they perceived as significant errors in the subsequent investigation. Although the police retained a gas boiler, cooker, and meter for analysis, a large amount of debris was disposed of at a recycling facility. Representatives of Wales and West Utilities (WWU) emphasized that the responsibility for securing evidence at the scene rested solely with the police. Despite indications of a probable gas explosion, with a gas main leak near the house as a likely cause, the HSE gas engineer was unable to rule out the possibility of a gas leak within Mr. Davies’ residence due to the loss of pertinent evidence.
Neighbors recounted their experiences during the inquest, with one resident reporting a lingering gas odor in the vicinity in the days leading up to the blast. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) therapy was required for one neighbor and her son after the incident, and a former postman who witnessed the explosion captured the moment on CCTV. Mr. Davies’ family expressed profound sorrow at his passing and frustration over the loss of crucial evidence, emphasizing the importance of gaining closure and ensuring that such a tragic incident does not befall others in the future
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