UK expert to begin investigations into Mont Pinel blast

Tuesday 09 July 2024

A UK expert was today due to begin investigative work to determine the cause of the suspected explosion at Mont Pinel almost two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, the family that was hospitalised during the incident was discharged from hospital yesterday.

The area was met with a flurry of emergency service activity on the evening of Wednesday 26 June, when an "unidentified suspected explosion and structural collapse" necessitated the rescue of two adults and two children from a property and the temporary evacuation of nearby residents.

Despite their bedroom being left exposed when the front wall of their home collapsed, the children – aged two and five – were unharmed, while their parents reportedly sustained "non-life threatening or life-changing" injuries.

All four were taken to the General Hospital.

An update issued yesterday afternoon on behalf of the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service said the family was due to be discharged that day.

Pictured: The children's bedroom was left exposed by the suspected explosion.

The statement continued: "They are being provided with accommodation while investigations at their property are underway and are being further supported by government and family.

"The other families affected are being supported by both government and their insurers, while investigators work to determine the cause."

Investigation "likely to take some time"

The spokesperson added that "stabilisation and weatherproofing work" had continued at the site over the weekend, and that an expert from the UK will be supporting the JFRS investigation into the cause of the incident.

"It is expected that investigators will be able to safely access the site and begin their assessments tomorrow morning," the spokesperson continued.

"Until they have begun their initial assessments, it is difficult to say how long the process will take – but it is likely to take some time to fully conclude the investigation."