Child dies as house 'completely flattened'

[La Poste]

A child has died in an explosion which "completely flattened" a house in the Shaw area of Oldham.

Another person is believed to be trapped after five terraced houses were damaged in the suspected gas blast, Greater Manchester Police said.

Firefighters are searching the damaged properties in Buckley Street. One man was taken to hospital with 80% burns.

National Grid said there was a report of a "gas escape" at 10:40. It said 100 homes had been evacuated.

BBC News - Oldham explosion: Child dies as house 'completely flattened'

Is it my imagination or are we getting explosions like this more often?

 

[telectrix]

5week gas safe courses. from office worker to demolition contractor in 5 weeks.

 

[La Poste]

I didn't know you could become a gas fitter in 5 weeks I thought that was just Sparky's.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

I didn't know you could become a gas fitter in 5 weeks I thought that was just Sparky's.

You're right, you can't, because they kept some kind of sense and dignity in that profession!

As far as know there is no way to do that, you have to do it the hard, old fashioned way.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Sad news.

This is precisely the reason why the Public perceive Gas as being dangerous and Electric less so.
The effects from bad installation etc are much more dramatic and always get the media ranting away. Including CO poisoning.
When was the last time an Electrical injury/death gets this much attention? None that I can remember.

 

[Geordie Spark]

I had a foot in both camps & was always aware that if I got it wrong on the leccy side of things I could destroy a whole house & all those in it, but a mistake on the gas could mean the destruction of the whole street.