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The family of one of the victims of the Pier Road explosion, which claimed 10 lives, say they are pleased that the investigation is moving forward after three men were arrested last week.
The men were arrested between Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 August on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
Each of the men has been interviewed and is currently on bail while enquiries continue, the Force said on Friday. Jersey's Health and Safety Inspectorate are also involved in the investigation.
The explosion on 10 December entirely collapsed the Andium Homes-run Haut du Mont Flats.
Nine people were killed in the blast in the early hours of 10 December, and a tenth islander who lived in an adjacent building – Kathleen McGinness (pictured below - second row, second from left) – died in hospital on Christmas Day.
In a statement, her family members – Karlene, Stephen and Paul McGinness – said: "As a grieving family, we are glad that the police have progressed the investigation to this stage."
"We now wait in anticipation to see what happens next," they added.
Pictured: The 10 islanders who sadly lost their lives as a result of the explosion.
As of Friday, there were 21 officers working full-time on the investigation, which has been named 'Operation Spire'.
708 statements have been recorded, 1,276 exhibits obtained, 3,933 documents generated, and 1,307 lines of enquiry pursued.
The working theory was that the explosion was caused by gas and, in June, Detective Superintendent Alison Fossey said that forensic experts at the Health and Safety Executive Science and Research Centre in Buxton were examining key pieces of evidence taken from the scene.
This included parts of the gas network and buildings.
A spokesperson for Island Energy commented on Friday afternoon: "Island Energy continues to support the relevant authorities with their investigations concerning the cause of the Pier Road explosion in December 2022.
"We are not able to share any further information as this is an ongoing investigation. We would like to reassure the Jersey community that when information is able to be shared, by the relevant authorities, that it will be and that we will support this fully."
Pictured: The site of the Pier Road explosion.
Andium Chief Executive Ian Gallichan later added: "Andium Homes received the press release along with the media this morning. We have been cooperating with the police from the outset in their pursuit of the truth, and we continue to do so. We recognise and respect that speculation is not helpful but we are however keen to provide the reassurance that no Andium homes staff have been arrested in connection with this matter.
"As ever our thoughts are with the bereaved families and our displaced tenants whom we continue to support through these most trying times."
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