Gasfitter pleads guilty after home blows up
A man whose home was significantly damaged in an explosion says he ‘‘felt sorry’’ for the gasfitter who carried out work at a nearby house a day before it blew up.
The explosion happened in July 2019 in Marble Court, Northwood, and left several people seriously injured, destroyed the house and caused significant damage to several other properties.
Homeowner Lynda Glen and two couples – Kevin and Annette Smith, and Michael Greaney and Sharon Hart – were in the house when it exploded.
WorkSafe charged Gregory John Smith, owner of Christchurch firm Gas Unlimited, with breaching section 9 of the Gas Act 1992. Gas Unlimited was charged with breaching Gas Safety and Measurement Regulations.
Smith and Gas Unlimited entered guilty pleas to the charges in the Christchurch District Court yesterday.
Smith was remanded at large to be sentenced in December.
Ken Glassenbury, whose Marble Court home required a full roof replacement, said he ‘‘felt sorry’’ for Smith, but did not want to take away from the residents who had been physically harmed.
‘‘He’s obviously gone through a lot . . . you feel for the guy.’’
Glassenbury said he and many
other affected residents had encountered issues with their insurance companies, comparable to those faced after the Canterbury earthquakes.
Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said many displaced residents were concerned by how little assistance they received when trying to find temporary accommodation after the explosion.
It is understood Smith carried out work on a gas fire in the house the day prior, after the occupiers had problems earlier in the week.
Smith’s defence counsel said he is willing to engage in a restorative justice process with the victims of the explosion.
Judge David Saunders called for victim impact statements to be filed ahead of sentencing. He said Smith would most likely be looking at financial consequences.
Smith declined to comment when leaving the court.