Neighbors said gas supplier SGN was out of action before the explosion (Image: UKNIP/PA)
Locals have told a gas company they have “blood on their hands” after a fatal gas explosion killed a four-year-old girl.
Sahara Salman died after the terraced house she lived in collapsed due to the explosion in Galpin’s Road, Thornton Heath, Merton, just after 7am on Monday.
Local residents, including Sahara’s mother Sana Ahmad, claim that gas supplier SGN has neglected the area’s long-standing gas problems.
A public meeting held in South Lodge Avenue, Mitcham, last night was an opportunity for people to voice their concerns.
The meeting began with a minute’s silence in memory of the fallen Sahara.
Neighbors said at least 18 calls were made to the gas company about the smell of gas in the area in the days and weeks before the accident.
Martin Holloway, SGN’s chief operating officer, told around 100 residents that the firm was “shocked and saddened” by Sahara’s death.
He was joined by local MP Siobhain McDonagh, Merton Council leader Ross Garrod and Inspector Barrie Capper of the Metropolitan Police.
To view this video, please enable JavaScript and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Four-year-old Sahara Salman was killed in the blast (Image: PA) The blast destroyed many homes in the street (Image: UkNewsinPictures) Debris can be seen scattered along the road after the explosion (Image: Peter Manning/LNP) A public meeting about the blast was held last night
He told the meeting: “Whilst I appreciate it is disappointing given the ongoing police investigation, I cannot speak to what happened in the run-up to the explosion.
“I know it’s hard because people want answers about what’s going on.”
He confirmed that “the entire history both electronic and hard copy” of all work carried out by SGN at Galpin’s Road would be available to police for their investigation.
He added that the company would make a “voluntary gesture of goodwill” to Merton Council.
People then reacted angrily to the comments and began shouting at Mr Holloway, with two residents coming out shouting how the investigation was a “slum”.
People were told they could start moving back into their homes on the street from Friday, following approval from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
A police cordon is still in place at the scene in Galpin Road, Thornton Heath (Image: PA) There have been allegations that SGN is ignoring long-standing gas problems in the area (Image: PA) Tributes have been paid to Sahara Salman (Image: UkNewsinPictures)
One Kerry resident, who only wanted to be known by her first name, said she was given just £40 to feed her family of seven while they all stayed in a hotel.
She shouted, “I called the gas company myself; I called them and you know what the woman told me? “Oh, we’re aware of that honey, just bear with us.”
“I got up at 5.30 this morning, smelled gas, smelled oil burning. And I got into a taxi and God forbid the explosion happened and he took me with this taxi.
“I’m wearing other people’s clothes because of this, and you’re going to sit here and say, ‘Oh, we’re going to come to you, we’re going to do this, we’re going to do that.'” What’s going to happen to me and my family on Tuesday?
Shirley Darmanin said there have been gas leaks for years.
More: News
She said: “It was an accident waiting to happen, I’m really angry that this poor child died – it wasn’t necessary, if someone had done their job she wouldn’t have died.
“There is a main pipe on our road and it supplies the whole area. Because it will cost them a lot of money [to fix] they won’t, and that’s what it’s all about – money, nobody cares.
“They said they were coming on Monday at 11am to carry out repairs and at 7am there was a bang. We all jolted out of bed and ran off in our pajamas, the whole building and windows shaking. It was like a bomb.
Catherine Goodwin, Detective Chief Inspector from the Met Police, said: “We are working closely with the Health and Safety Executive and our investigation is fully supported by partners and local officers.
“My thoughts are also with those who remain in hospital, their families and all those affected.”
Debris from children’s toys could be seen following the explosion (Image: PA) Emergency services attended the scene on Monday morning (Image: PA)
Merton Council confirmed the explosion was the result of a gas leak and investigations are ongoing.
A spokesperson for SGN told Metro.co.uk: “This has been an extremely difficult time for the Thornton Heath community, which is why it was important for us to meet with residents last night. Our engineers are on site throughout the week alongside our client teams supporting Merton Council.
“Given the ongoing police investigation, we cannot discuss what happened before the explosion.”
“We know it is difficult as people want answers about what happened, but we are working closely with investigators, including the police, to find out what led to Monday’s explosion.”
“All of us at SGN are shocked and saddened by Sahara’s passing. We send our sincere condolences to her family.
Contact our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check out our news page.
Add Comment