Accidental death verdict for woman killed in gas explosion

An inquest into the death of a woman who died following a huge gas explosion has concluded her death was 'accidental' and due to an 'unintended act.'

Janet Jasper, who was 79 and from Birstall in Leicestershire, died in hospital in December 2017.

She suffered severe injuries when an explosion from the property next door on Allington Drive tore through the home she shared with her husband of 50 years, John, and their son Anthony.

The inquest heard the blast was due to a gas leak from a broken underground pipe in the neighbouring house.

Janet had been in bed when the blast happened.

A previous Health and Safety Executive report told residents the underground gas pipe had been fractured by ground movement and a number of other unspecified factors.

It said the combination of factors was extremely rare - a leaflet sent to residents in 2018 read: “We know of only two such occurrences in the whole of the UK in the post-war era.”

Read more: Church service held for victim of house explosion.