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House involved in deadly gas explosion owned by housing association
A house in Andover destroyed in a deadly gas explosion last week was owned by a large housing association, it has emerged.
Emergency services found the body of James Kirkby, 48, after the blast at around 2.30am on 27 December, which reduced the building in Launcelot Close to rubble.
Aster Group, a social landlord with more than 30,000 homes, owned the house as well as the neighbouring property, which was also seriously damaged.
The association said the home was leased to a third party, and that it had an up-to-date gas safety certificate.
Police have confirmed they are not treating Mr Kirkby’s death as suspicious and that the scene has now been handed over to Aster.
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Residents of several neighbouring houses were evacuated last week, but most have now been allowed to return home following structural tests.
One household remains in temporary accommodation.
A spokesperson for Aster said: “We are working closely with the emergency services as they continue their investigations.
“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the person who sadly lost their life, and together with partner agencies we will do all we can to support those affected by this tragic incident.
“While we own the property at Launcelot Close, we lease it to a third party which provides accommodation and support for individuals in housing need.
“A gas safety check was carried out in September 2018 by a qualified gas safe engineer and in accordance with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 and a certificate produced following the inspection.”
A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said: “Following an extensive search of the site, the death is not being treated as suspicious and a file has been prepared for the coroner.
“The cause of the explosion is believed to have been isolated to the individual property and there are no identified safety concerns that will affect the wider community.”
Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council, said: “We continue to keep all of those affected by this terrible tragedy in our thoughts, particularly James Kirkby who so tragically lost his life and all those who loved and cared for him.”
The local authority transferred its housing stock to Aster – then Testway Housing – in 2000.
