Overview
- At an inquest on Monday, the coroner said David Howard intentionally damaged his gas cooker but did not rule that he meant to end his life.
- Fire investigators found the cooker’s flexible gas pipe had been stretched to its limit and said a torn-out fridge freezer capacitor likely sparked the blast.
- The Health and Safety Executive directed checks that showed no leak in outside pipework, and tests of the meter, boiler, and internal pipes found only the cooker damage.
- Hours after receiving a letter about an £80 rent rise, Howard told friends he had “pulled the pipes,” locked his doors, and ignored pleas to leave as at least one friend reported smelling gas.
- Police were called at 7:39pm to a house that had fully collapsed, a major incident was declared with up to 200 residents evacuated, and Howard, found conscious but trapped, died at 9:58pm from asphyxia.