12 Months on from the Shrewsbury Explosion
Today, January 3 2011, marks the anniversary of an explosion that rocked Shrewsbury.
A property on the junction of Bridge Street and Smithfield Road in Shrewsbury was destroyed in the explosion which happened around 11.25am on Sunday 3 January 2010.
The blast injured 12 people, destroyed a building and caused considerable damage to buildings in Bridge Street, Mardol and the new Theatre Severn across the river from the explosion.
Four people were in a flat which was destroyed in the blast: Annie Davies, Sam Devine-Turner, Scott Godbold and Sarah Pearse were all treated for their injuries including burns.
Kiley McDonnell, who was starring in the Peter Pan pantomime at Theatre Severn as Jovial Jake, was also injured. He was in the Shrewsbury Hotel car park close to the explosion when it happened.
Kiley McDonell, lost the use of his legs in the explosion after he was trapped by a falling wall. In October 2010 soap stars turned out in Shrewsbury to take part in a benefit show called Kiley’s Big Night Out. Tickets for the fundraiser in aid of Kiley sold out in record time, the event was hailed as a big success.
One year on from the explosion the Health and Safety Executive have still not published a report on the incident.
In September 2010, National Grid alleged that construction work carried out by BT, a few years earlier had caused a leak which lead to the explosion. BT responded by saying there was no proof its work was responsible.
Today, the site of the explosion has been cleared and work on neighbouring buildings has taken place to repair the damaged caused by the explosion.
Those involved in the incident say they hope the report on the explosion will be published soon.
