Residents anger after being forced to live next to a 'bombsite' for a year
Residents living near a house in Worcestershire that was destroyed in a gas explosion last Christmas are angry it still hasn’t been fixed.
Watch: Residents anger after being forced to live next to a 'bombsite' for a year
Residents living near a house that was destroyed in a gas explosion last Christmas are angry it still hasn’t been fixed a year later.
In total, four people were injured when the property was flattened in the huge blast on Hemmingway, in Evesham, Worcestershire, on 27 December 2022. Shocking photos at the time show how the property was obliterated while the neighbouring home was also left badly damaged.
Residents who were evacuated from their homes last year say they have been forced to live next to the “bombsite” for 12 months while “nothing has been done”. Builders began to erect scaffolding around the site just before Christmas but progress has since been stalled.
Locals hope the work is the beginning of eventually being able to rebuild their homes after a year of uncertainty but are still angry it has taken so long.
Neighbour Jason Arthurs, 53, a dad-of-two, said: "We have been fed-up waiting for so long living next to the site. It has been a source of frustration that nothing has been done after all this time."
At the time of the explosion one man was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and two other adults were taken to the Hereford County Hospital to be treated. The three people did not suffer life-threatening injuries and were discharged from hospital.
Police evacuated ten neighbouring homes and gas supply was also cut off from 35 properties for the safety of the residents. Superintendent Nigel Webster, said previously: "This was, of course, a devastating incident, and our thoughts are with those injured, their families and the local residents."
West Mercia Police launched a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). However the force has now said the probe has since been handed over solely to the HSE.
Yahoo News UK has contacted Evesham Town Council for comment.
'We didn't really get a Christmas'
Resident Arthurs added: "The scaffolding has only recently gone up so we hope this is the start of some progress.
"Up until now there's been the issue of absent landlords overseas not wanting responsibility for something that is now a liability rather than an asset.
"There's also been an ongoing health and safety investigation which has meant work to the neighbouring property has been delayed.
He said: "It has left our properties open to the elements in the colder months too so we've had to be careful heating our homes.
"It has been quite poignant putting up decorations this year because we were evacuated from our homes around this time last year.
"We didn't really get a Christmas as we were in a hotel for much of the festive period. It does bring it all back."
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, added: "The woman who lived next door is still waiting to get back in her home 12 months on.
"We've been forced to live next to a bomb site for a year with nothing going on. We hope these workmen will crack on with the job but I imagine there's still a lot of red tape to deal with.
"There's a lot of legal wrangling going on, I understand, which has been delaying things, but somebody needs to take responsibility.
"It shouldn't just be left like this for a year."
The HSE confirmed they were still investigating the explosion but the rebuild of the houses was a matter for insurers. A HSE spokesperson added: “We are now leading the investigation into the gas explosion in Evesham on 27 December 2022.
Dangerous or dilapidated buildings or structures
Local authorities have several discretionary powers they can use to tackle unsightly or dangerous properties, the UK Parliament website says.
Under sections 77 and 78 of the Building Act 1984, authorities can require the owner to make the property safe or enable the authority to take emergency action to make the building safe.
Under Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004, using the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System, authorities can evaluate the potential risks to health and safety arising from deficiencies within properties and take appropriate enforcement action. Environmental health officers do not generally take enforcement action against owner occupiers.
The UK Parliament website advises people to seek professional legal advice on their options where a neighbouring property’s disrepair, e.g. damaged guttering, is causing damage to their home.
