Posted By Anwar Afzal Have you heard of the burglers who tried to steal a gas boiler and was smoking while ripping it out, destroying that house and number of others in the street in West Bromwich and putting themselves and others in hospital with severe burns. Where is the common sense?

Posted By Anwar Afzal They did not have "NO SMOKING POLICY" maybe the smoking ban will prevent further incidents if it applies to burlars aswell. On a serious token though, what if these houses were being refurbished by builders or they were part built new homes. HSE would be looking at ensuring others were not put at risk Section 3 & 4 HASWA 74 And might even have been a breach of the occupiers liablity act 57, we must ensure that occupants legal or illegal are not injured as a result of our acts or ommisions

Posted By Lynne Ratcliffe there was not an occupier at the time! they were trying to rob the boiler and pipes for the scrap copper prices from an empty house. it was reported that there was a smell of gas detected shortly before the explosion! it was only later and well after the event it was discovered that they were not builders but robbers! memo to burglar - next time check gas has been turned off! just like real builders do!

Posted By anon1234 Surely the burglars caused the gas leak - what you expect the cntractors to do? put up signs saying 'if you are going to steal the boiler ensure you turn the gas off before disconnecting'?