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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Ryan Merrifield

Fire chief says Jersey explosion 'tragic' as crews called to gas smell hours before blast

A fire chief has assured islanders they can have "confidence in their emergency services" after crews responded to gas concerns just hours before a fatal explosion in Jersey.

Fifteen people are feared dead following the blast with the rescue mission for survivors now being treated as a "recovery operation".

Paul Brown is leading the fire service's response to the incident at a flat complex in St Helier on Saturday and said he and his colleagues will be "absolutely honest" amid any potential investigation.

Firefighters were called to the block just after 8.30pm on Friday when occupants smelled gas, and it was allegedly deemed safe before the explosion nine hours later.

So far, three people have been confirmed dead.

Mr Brown told press at a briefing today he could not add much to what he said yesterday, when he detailed the rescue efforts.

He said: "What you can have is a guarantee from me, my personal commitment to you is we will be absolutely honest and transparent and we will completely provide every item of information that is required because our most important priority now is understanding exactly what happened and exactly why it happened."

Have you been affected by this incident? Let us know at webnews@mirror.co.uk

Paul Brown, chief fire officer speaking at a press conference (PA)

Pressed further, he went on to say: "Something has clearly gone wrong - a building has exploded and collapsed - and horribly wrong as well.

"But at the moment, because of the phase we are at, my focus - and all the focus of my colleagues - is on the thing we are doing right now.

"But in terms of being open and transparent we will cooperate fully with every phase that happens."

Rescue teams have worked through the night (States of Jersey Police)

A journalist then asked him how much faith islanders can have in the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service, after crews allowed residents to remain in the block despite the concerns.

Mr Brown said: "It is a tragic tragic situation. We are all devastated that islanders have been lost and that families and loved ones are suffering today.

"It's awful but islanders can have confidence in their emergency services. Islanders can have confidence in the States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service.

The scene of the explosion, where the block completely collapsed (PA)

"I think that what those families deserve and what those families will absolutely receive is openness and transparency," he added.

Mr Brown declined to answer whether anyone had been suspended or put on immediate leave.

Asked at the briefing if any criminal investigation had been launched or would likely be, Jersey Police Chief Officer Robin Smith said: "We rule nothing in and nothing out."

The explosion struck at around 4am on Saturday (PA)

The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, but Mr Smith said it "looks likely" that it was caused by gas.

"It seems likely but we don't know," he said.

Asked if police would be holding anyone accountable, he said: "We provide the facts."

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