WATCH: Police Chief says explosion “likely” caused by gas leak

Sunday 11 December 2022

Emergency services have a “working assumption” that the fatal explosion on Pier Road in the early hours of Saturday was caused by a gas leak.

However, Chief of Police Robin Smith told a press conference on Sunday morning that the police were still “ruling nothing in and nothing out” when it came to the cause of the blast, which destroyed a block of flats at the Andium-run Haut du Mont estate.

The explosion has claimed the lives of at least three islanders, with that number expected to increase as a meticulous search of the site continues. It is now deemed a "recovery operation".

Mr Smith said: “You look at the pictures, and I am no expert, it looks like [a gas explosion] is the cause but as you often hear the police service say, we keep all our options open. That seems likely but we do not know, is the simple answer.”

Both Mr Smith and Chief Fire Officer Paul Brown said that the investigation into the cause of the fatal explosion, which happened just after 04:00 yesterday, would be independent and transparent.

An update from the Heads of Emergency Services. https://t.co/aYEb4yEpLH

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) December 11, 2022

Video: The Heads of Emergency Services gave an update alongside the Chief Minister at a press conference at 11:30 this morning.

This was in response to questions about a confirmed visit by firefighters to the premises on Friday night after residents raised concerns about the smell of gas, a number of hours before the explosion.

Mr Brown said: “Most important thing is to establish the absolute truth and be seen to understand the absolute truth. We don’t want any cloud around that at all.”

“What the families [of those who have lost ones] deserve and will absolutely receive is openness and transparency from me on behalf of my organisation every step of the way.”

Pictured: Specialist search teams from the UK arriving in the island yesterday afternoon and evening.

However, he added that the focus of the emergency services was on the current ‘recovery’ phase of the operation. He said that 10 Jersey firefighters were involved and that at any one time there were around 20 specialist search officers from the UK in the island.

This moved from a ‘search and rescue’ phase after specialists who flew into the island from the UK yesterday concluded that it was unlikely anyone would be found alive.

Mr Smith confirmed that ‘around a dozen’ people were still missing, meaning that up to 15 people could have died.

He said: “Inevitably, sadly and tragically, it is assumed that those missing have lost their lives.

“It is a very sensitive area but what I can confirm is that we have three confirmed fatalities and I think it is fair to say that we expect to find more. 

“Previously we have said probably in the region of a dozen, but you will understand how difficult it is to make that assessment. That is a number that we hope we don’t get to but that is the number we are working to.”

Pictured: The blast caused a "pancake collapse" of the building, and left significant debris in its wake. (Jon Guegan)

The emergency services' heads, as well as Chief Minister Kristina Moore, praised the response from islanders to the tragedy.

Around 40 people have been left homeless by the explosion, with social housing provider Andium Homes, States Departments, charities, families and islanders all offering and providing support.

An investigation into the cause has already begun, and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed. The Health and Safety Inspectorate, Andium Homes and Islands Energy Group, which is responsible for gas supply, are all cooperating.

The gas company CEO, Jo Cox, has been unavailable for interview today and yesterday. A spokesperson for the company told Express: "We continue to work very closely with the investigating team and Jo’s whole focus is on that at present."

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