A self-employed joiner installed a gas cooker illegally, leading to an explosion where his customers were lucky to escape with their lives.

Alex Irvine, 44, of Causeyside Street, Paisley, Renfrewshire, was sentenced to 300 hours of community service at Paisley Sheriff Court.

The cooker exploded on April 17 2009, causing more than £580,000 worth of damage to four properties.

Mr Irvine was hired by John and Emily Reid to cut out a kitchen unit, worktop and install a new free-standing gas cooker in Kirklands, Renfrew.

The joiner was not approved by the Health and Safety Executive or registered with Gas Safe Register, making his work illegal.

-- Advertisement --

He told Mr Reid he was not qualified to change the gas connection, but could still do it. Mr Reid agreed that Mr Irvine would carry out the work for a £60 fee.

A few weeks later, the Reids were in the living room when they heard a noise in the kitchen, which they believed to be the oven although neither could smell gas.

Mr Reid opened the grill door, triggering an explosion which he described as "an almighty bang, a flash of yellow light and a roar".

Both he and his wife suffered burns to their face, hands, arms and neck before fleeing the property.

Mr Reid underwent a skin graft on his right hand and Mrs Reid's eyebrows and eyelashes have still not grown back.

The explosion also caused extensive damage to their home and three other properties. Three of the houses were so badly damaged they had to be demolished and rebuilt.

Investigations found the hose had been installed the wrong way, got trapped and split, causing a leak.

Gas fitters must always carry an ID card - check www.gassaferegister.co.uk.

(NE)