Gas firm to answer charges over fatal explosion

A gas company has been ordered to appear in court following an investigation into a fatal explosion in a block of flats in Jersey.

Ten residents died after the incident at Haut du Mont, St Helier, on 10 December 2022.

Island Energy has been summonsed to appear in the Magistrate's Court next week to answer charges relating to health and safety, said Jersey's Health and Safety Inspectorate.

The inspectorate said the charges related to criminal offences under Article 21 (a) of the Health and Safety at Work (Jersey) Law 1989.

It said the charges were failing in their duties to ensure the health and safety of employees and for failing in their duties to ensure the health and safety of persons not in their employment.

The inspectorate said the investigation had run in parallel with the States of Jersey Police investigation as part of Operation Spire.

In February three former Island Energy employees were charged with gross negligence manslaughter in relation to the explosion.

The inspectorate said it had been supported by specialist inspectors and technical experts from the UK's Health and Safety Executive.

The charges are expected to be heard on 14 March.

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