Christchurch gas explosion: Negligent tradesman stung $212,000
15 Dec, 2020 02:12 AM
10 minutes to read
The cause of an explosion that destroyed a Christchurch home last year has now been explained.
The cause of an explosion that destroyed a Christchurch home last year has now been explained.
A gasfitter whose negligence caused a giant explosion that blew up a Christchurch house and caused serious injuries to five occupants has been ordered to pay more than $130,000 in compensation, and his company fined $82,500.
Gregory John Smith, sole director of Christchurch-based plumbing and gasfitting business Gas Unlimited Ltd, was halfway through repairing a gas fire when he didn t disconnect its gas pipe and then failed to tell homeowners not to use the gas.
Christchurch gas explosion: Tradesman cops over $200k in fines
Marble Court explosion. (Photo / NZ Herald)
Christchurch gas explosion: Tradesman cops over $200k in fines Tue, 15 Dec 2020, 4:36PM
A gas fitter whose negligence caused a giant explosion that blew up a Christchurch house and caused serious injuries to five occupants has been ordered to pay more than $130,000 in compensation and his company fined $82,500.
Gregory John Smith, sole director of Christchurch-based plumbing and gasfitting business Gas Unlimited Ltd, was halfway through repairing a gas fire when he didn t disconnect its gas pipe and then failed to tell homeowners not to use the gas.
An aerial video of a Northwood, Christchurch, house destroyed in a gas explosion on July 19, 2019.
A gas fitter who carried out work at a Christchurch home a day before it exploded and left several people seriously injured must pay more than $130,000 to the victims of the blast. The explosion in July 2019 rocked the suburb of Northwood, destroying a house and causing significant damage to several properties nearby. The worst of those injured needed skin grafts, while one was left in a coma. Gas Unlimited owner Gregory John Smith was sentenced in the Christchurch District Court on Tuesday to 325 hours’ community work after earlier pleading guilty to breaching the Gas Act.