Owner ‘blew up own shop, wounding 81 to claim cash’

DENIAL Boss Pascal Blasio A GAS blast which injured 81 people and caused “utter devastation” was the result of an insurance job which went “badly wrong”, a court heard.

The explosion destroyed or damaged 63 properties and left one man with a serious brain injury.

Pascal Blasio, 57, denies causing the explosion at his furniture shop in New Ferry, Wirral, Merseyside, in 2017. He also denies a charge of fraud in relation to an insurance claim.

Nigel Lawrence QC, prosecuting, told a jury at Liverpool crown court: “It truly was a miracle that nobody was killed.”

SCREAMING

The scene after the blast had been one of “complete chaos”. He said: “People were running everywhere, people were lying on the floor, screaming, crying.”

The front of a Chinese restaurant was blown in, leaving customers covered in glass and rubble.

The explosion had been caused by a build-up of gas in the Homes In Style shop.

Mr Lawrence said a cap was deliberately removed from a pipe, and a valve turned to let gas escape. It may have been ignited by an electrical appliance.

Blasio, of Gillingham, Kent, had been on the brink of bankruptcy. Mr Lawrence said: “Trying to destroy his shop was his last throw of the dice.”

The trial continues.