Gas blast man is put behind bars

JAILED . . . Kevin Carroll

A MAN has been jailed after deliberately instigating a gas explosion at his home in Blackley.

Kevin Carroll (33), of Cecil Road, was sentenced to two years and eight months at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square, after pleading guilty to criminal damage with intent to endanger life.

Police were called to the explosion shortly after 12.25pm on January 16.

Earlier that day, Carroll told his housemates he was staying home from work as he was sick, but when one of them later returned he failed to answer the door.

The 29-year-old man waited outside by the locked door, unaware that inside Carroll was severing and igniting a gas mains pipe. He then heard an extremely loud swooshing sound and was knocked to the ground before the front door and parts of the frame landed on him.

He managed to push away the debris and crawl into the middle of the road, where neighbours rushed to his aid after fleeing from the surrounding houses.

Carroll's home was left almost demolished and the house next door was badly damaged, with windows of other premises blown out by the blast.

The 29-year-old was taken to hospital with burns to his face, mouth and throat, but he made a good recovery and was discharged within three days.

Carroll was also taken to hospital where he was treated for severe burns. He was arrested and after a period in hospital was subsequently charged.

DI Dave Sinclair, of GMP's City of Manchester Team, said: "This incident left a wave of devastation in its wake, with an innocent man hospitalised, a terraced street destroyed and members of the community anxious and homeless after being evacuated."