Car arson sparks gas leak drama

Jan 18 2008 by Andrew Hirst, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

CAR ARSON SPARKS GAS LEAK DRAMA

A BURNING car could have sparked a huge gas explosion and put lives at risk.

The M-registered Ford Fiesta was backed up next to a business in Dalton and set alight.

But the searing heat fractured a main gas pipe leading into Dalton Pets And Gardens on Long Lane.

When owner Steve Nicholls arrived four hours later the inside was filled with gas.

Mr Nicholls, 42, said: “I’d already switched the light on before I smelled the gas. It was just lucky that did not spark an explosion; the heating had already come on.

“Whoever had set fire to the car had backed it up next to the shop wall, about 2ft from the gas pipe, before setting it on fire.

“I think the heat had expanded the pipe and when it contracted as it cooled. That’s when it popped and gas began to leak.

“Whoever did this are idiots. There are several homes nearby and if the shop had blown up the debris could have been flung far and wide, seriously injuring or even killing someone.’’

The car was set on fire at 6.30am on Sunday morning and doused by Huddersfield firefighters.

Mr Nicholls added: “The outside of the shop has been damaged by the heat. The fallpipes have melted and the wall has been scorched.’’

Mr Nicholls owns two other businesses, Meltham Pets And Gardens and Huddersfield Canine Training.

Gas engineers have sealed off the fractured pipe.

The car owner lives in Manchester and told police the car had been stolen from Broad Lane in Moldgreen earlier that night.

Anyone with information about the arson attack on the car should contact police on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.