Moment cowboy builder stumbles away from house after it explodes during shoddy renovation works
Barry Newman, 58, was carrying out refurbishments on a property in Bulwell, Nottingham, when the three-storey terraced house blew from its first floor on Novemeber 22, 2022.
The builder had placed a faulty portable space heater, connected to a propane gas (LPG) cylinder, in the property's cellar to dry out damp.
However, a gas leak from the heater resulted in a violent explosion causing his 51-year-old client to suffer severe burns to his hands, legs, face and scalp.
He has been unable to work since, due to the seriousness of his injuries.
Footage taken by a nearby neighbour seconds after the blast shows smoke bellowing from the semi detached property and rubble scattered across the pavement and road.
Newman - the sole trader of his company Foster Brother Builders - can be seen walking uninjured from the property whilst glancing back at the destruction he caused.
Last week, Nottingham Magistrates' Court sentenced Newman, from Beeston Marina, Nottingham, avoided jail but was given a 12-month suspended sentence.
He was also ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work and required to pay £2,000 in costs.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the incident and found that Newman had failed to carry out a risk assessment.
He also did not provide suitable and adequately maintained equipment for the work being undertaken.
The manufacturer's instructions for the heater clearly state it is only for use in well-ventilated areas and LPG cylinders should not be kept below ground.
This is because the gas is heavier than air and will collect at the lower level if there is a leak.
HSE guidance states employers should ensure work equipment is only used for operations in situations and under conditions that are suitable.
Newman pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(3) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.
Roy Poulter HSE Inspector said: 'This gas explosion has left one man unable to work due to the seriousness of the injuries sustained and it could have easily resulted in someone losing their life.
'This case should serve as a strong reminder to those in the building trade on the dangers of working with gas and the need to assess the risk, and just how serious both HSE and the courts take failures like this.
'HSE will take action against those who do not do all that they can to keep people safe.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Tyne Coast College principal and vice principal abruptly leave roles
Two senior staff at a further education college have left their posts, the BBC understands. Staff at Tyne Coast College, which has sites in South Shields and Wallsend, were told on 23 June that principal Mandy Morris and vice principal Diane Turner would not be available for the "foreseeable future", as first reported in FE University and College Union (UCU) said it had learned of the staff departures on the same day. "We have no further information," a spokesperson college said it was an "internal staffing matter" and it would not be appropriate to comment further. It confirmed police were not year, 19 jobs were cut at the further education college halfway through the academic year due to budget cuts. The college enrolled about 9,700 students in 2023/24, which includes 16-18-year-olds, apprentices, adult learners and international was formed in 2017 following a merger between South Tyneside College and Tyne Metropolitan College. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
At long last! A crackdown on the growing menace of electric bikes and scooters
A crackdown on the menace of electric bikes and e-scooters has been launched after a spate of incidents left members of the public 'scared and threatened'. A new campaign launched by Crimestoppers is urging the public to report instances of dangerous and illegal use of off-road motorbikes, mopeds, e-bikes and e-scooters. It comes amid growing concerns that the vehicles are becoming a threat to the public, with the bikes being ridden in residential areas, on town centre pavements and parks. The charity says it has been inundated with reports of members of the public being terrorised by riders. Examples include a farmer in Dumfries who found his fields had been ripped up overnight, costing him thousands of pounds in repairs and increased security and an elderly lady in Edinburgh who almost stepped into the path of a bus to avoid a bike on the pavement crashing into her. In February, Whinhill Golf Club in Greenock, Renfrewshire, was badly damaged by people riding off road bikes on the fairways. Angela Parker National Manager of Crimestoppers, said: 'We heard from many people who felt scared and threatened by the increased use of illegal off-road bikes. 'This illegal activity also damages the environment and heritage, taking years to recovers and costing thousands to repair. 'Our campaign aims to support communities in reporting anonymously to our charity and providing information on where people can safely and legally enjoy riding their bike.' Crimestoppers is asking members of the public to report who is riding the bikes or a description of riders, information on where they are being stored. Last December, it emerged that almost 300 dangerous e-scooters and e-bikes were seized by police in the first nine months of 2024 amid a spike in illegal modifications. Officers removed 281 vehicles from the roads after finding they exceeded speed and power limits. In comparison, just 91 were seized in the previous two years. Under Scots law, e-scooters are only legal on private land. They should have a maximum speed of 15.5mph and a maximum power of 250 watts. E-bikes, which can be used on cycle paths and public roads, should always come with pedals and the motor should not be able to power it above 15.5mph. Victims and Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: 'I'm pleased to support this important campaign. Using off-road vehicles illegally is dangerous, anti-social and can cause huge disruption to residents in local communities as well as causing damage to parks, playing fields and the natural environment. 'Crimestoppers enables individuals to report crime anonymously and these reports help the police to tackle this crime. Together, we can make a real difference.' Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council, said: 'These bikes are causing untold damage and misery in our community, damaging public and private property and leaving residents feeling scared and intimidated, which is simply unacceptable. 'Areas like Grieve Road have been particularly affected by the rise in off-road bikes and the course at Whinhill Golf Club, which the council owns, has also been damaged so there is a cost to the taxpayers to repair the fairways and greens, not to mention the inconvenience caused for golfers and staff.' 'As with most things, the authorities need the help of the public to tackle this problem by reporting illegal and anti-social activity and Crimestoppers is a way in which people can do that and do it completely anonymously.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Pictured: Man, 24, who murdered his mother at seaside home
A man who has admitted to killing his own mother has been pictured by police for the first time. Oliver Grange, 24, murdered his mother, Rachel Dixon, 49, at his seaside home on Skelmersdale Avenue, Clacton-on-Sea, at around 11.30am on March 21 this year. Police and ambulance crews - including an air ambulance - rushed to the address within five minutes of receiving a call over concern's for Ms Dixon's welfare, but she was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. Grange was immediately arrested on suspicion of murder but was also taken to hospital in a 'serious condition', which police said was as a result of a separate incident. He was then charged with murder after being released from hospital five days later and was remanded in custody. Grange pleaded guilty to murdering his mother when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday, June 26. Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood, of Essex Police, said Grange had comitted a 'heinous crime'. He added: 'Our thoughts remain with Rachel's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time. We know this loss is felt widely. 'I hope the defendant's decision to plead guilty to this heinous crime will help Rachel's loved ones as they move forward.' Ms Dixon's family paid tribute after her death, saying: 'Our beautiful daughter, sister, mother and auntie, who will be greatly missed by all who was taken away from us far too soon.' DCI Rob Huddleston also said previously that the murder had shocked the local community. Grange was remanded into custody and will be sentenced at the same court in August.
