Harrowing images showing the ‘ticking time bomb’ gas pipe which led to serious house explosion have been released.
Ayrshire Live first revealed that the major blast which wiped out three homes in Kincaidston in Ayr last October was caused by a corroded gas mains pipe.
Last month we told how HSE had completed their investigation into the blast which left a family of four seriously injured.
In a letter seen by Ayrshire Live it was then confirmed that the cause was a corroded pipe lying beneath the home of Number 3 Gorse Park.
It came as victims of the disaster were told that no one would face prosecution over the blast.
Now the full report, provided to Ayrshire Live after a Freedom of Information Request, has lifted the lid on the hazardous pipe, which lay there since the 1970s.
The shock HSE dossier by Steven Critchlow, reveals the crumbling state of the main supply pipe to the home which was destroyed by the horrific blast.
Mr Critchlow tells how the steel pipes were “heavily corroded” and that the protective plastic coating surrounding the pipes had also been breached.
The reports details that gas leaks from the holes were able to build up inside the home of Number 3, which spread through the soil.
Holes were created on to the pipe due it not being laid in according to industry standards.
The report found that the pipe had originally been laid into rubble and was back filled with building waste which over 50 years lead to corrosion of the pipe.
Mr Critchlow was unable to find an ignition source of the explosion due to the level of damage to Number 3.
Furious residents have reacted to the shock report.
Natalie McDowall’s 64-year-old mum lived at Number 1 Gorse Park, the last standing house at the blast site.
Natalie told Ayrshire Live: “The report has just angered me. To think my mum was living so close to something so dangerous.
“It could have been anyone, that pipe was a ticking time bomb underneath people’s homes.”
Robert Dunn, who led a community campaign for answers, said: “It was soul destroying to see the the report. I’ve seen the same condition of pipe works being dug out across the estate.
“This has unearthed that there was an issue in Kincaidston. It could have happened to anyone.
“Questions remain to where else in the estate there was corroded pipes? Where else was back filled wrong?”
An HSE spokesperson said: “The investigation into the Gorse Park explosion has concluded. HSE recognises that this incident caused significant disruption and concern to the residents of Kincaidston.
Our thoughts are with all those affected by this incident. There were a number of lines of enquiry pursued which is not uncommon for an incident of this magnitude and complexity.”
HSE added that they notified the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal of the outcome of their investigation.
They also concluded that there was evidence to indicate that “on the balance of probabilities, SGN failed to do all that it reasonably should have to prevent the explosion.
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