A gas fitter whose negligence caused a gas explosion in Christchurch in July last year, still faces a civil process following yesterday s sentencing
A gas fitter whose negligence caused a gas explosion in Christchurch in July last year, still faces a civil process following yesterday s sentencing 16 December 2020
Gregory John Smith, didn t disconnect the gas during repairs to a fire, and failed to tell the homeowners.
He s been ordered to pay more than 130,000 dollars compensation - and his company has been fined $82,500.
The Herald s Kurt Bayer says, with court action continuing, Gregory Smith s business remains in a delicate position.
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.
Tuesday, 15 December 2020, 3:50 pm
A gas explosion in Christchurch which left six people
seriously injured and several properties uninhabitable
serves as a warning to all gasfitters, says
WorkSafe.
All work with gas must be done by the book -
because when things go wrong, the consequences can be
grave.
In July 2019, certifying gasfitter Gregory John
Smith was repairing a fireplace at a home in Christchurch.
As part of the repairs he removed a gas valve, which is used
to control the flow of gas. He advised he would return the
next day to complete the repairs.
“However, Smith
had not disconnected the gas supply to the heater (by
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.