'Despicable' thieves stole equipment from fire engine after gas blast

‘Despicable’ thieves stole vital firefighting gear from fire engine after crews rushed to house gas blast that killed grandmother, 79

• Thieves stole equipment from a fire engine while crews were responding to a fatal house gas explosion 
• Explosion in Kingstanding, Birmingham, on June 26 destroyed house and killed Doreen Rees-Bibb, 79
• Some 25 firefighters from six crews work with police, ambulance and gas crews to make the area safe 
• But thieves prised open side shutter on vehicle and stole equipment including a pump, cutters and hose

Thieves stole vital equipment from a fire engine while crews were responding to a fatal house gas explosion that destroyed a terraced house and killed a 79-year-old grandmother, police revealed today.

Doreen Rees-Bibb died in the blast in the Kingstanding area of Birmingham on June 26 which saw 25 firefighters from six crews work with police, ambulance and gas crews to make the residential area safe.

But as they did so, the thieves decided to prise open a side shutter on one of the West Midlands Fire Service vehicles and steal ‘crucial’ fire service equipment, including a pump, cutters, a hose and bolt cutters.

The explosion destroyed one home on Dulwich Road and caused damage to eight neighbouring properties after a gas leak ignited. One man was left fighting for his life and many families are now homeless.

The theft came at a time when most of the local community was rallying around to support those affected, with the critically injured man dug out of the burning rubble of the home by about a dozen members of the public.

Emergency services work at the scene on Dulwich Road in Kingstanding, Birmingham on June 27 following the gas explosion

 

The scene in Kingstanding on June 27 after the explosion destroyed a house and caused damage to other properties

Some 25 firefighters from six crews worked with police, ambulance and gas crews following the blast on June 26

The blast was caused by an ‘accidental and inadvertent ignition of a large escape of gas from a joint in the pipework’

Their heroic and quick-thinking actions were praised by the emergency services – while others supported those forced from their homes, with a local pub opening its doors to those displaced and collecting donations.

West Midlands Police confirmed officers are investigating the theft and said they were looking at footage from the area to find those responsible.

Tributes have been paid to Doreen Rees-Bibb, 79, who died in a house explosion in Birmingham on the night of June 26

Chief Inspector Kelly Monaghan said: ‘This is a despicable act during a serious incident when other members of the public were acting so heroically and selflessly.

‘The items stolen are essential for firefighters to act quickly and save lives when it matters most, just like we saw in Kingstanding on Sunday, June 26.’

Police, fire and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) officials said last Thursday that the cause of the blast was determined as an ‘accidental and inadvertent ignition of a large escape of gas from a joint in the pipework’.

The HSE, West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Police said demolition work had allowed investigators ‘to safely access and test sections of the property’s internal gas piping’.

The HSE is continuing investigations as to whether any work-related activities contributed towards the incident.

Among those left homeless by the blast was grandmother Louby Lane, 60, after her property was declared unsafe. She was sat in her living room when the explosion tore through the neighbouring terraced house.

The force of the blast blew out Ms Lane’s downstairs windows and forced her to flee the property with her grandchildren.

Ms Lane’s home of 38 years has now been left on the brink of collapse and is earmarked for demolition after being declared structurally dangerous.

Louby Lane  60, with her granddaughters Morgan Rowe (left), 13, and Megan Rowe (right), 11, who has been made homeless after the neighbouring property collapsed due to the gas explosion in Kingstanding

The explosion destroyed one home and caused damage to eight neighbouring properties following a gas leak igniting

A woman aged 79 died after a house was destroyed in the gas explosion in Kingstanding on June 26

Emergency services work at the scene on Dulwich Road in Kingstanding, Birmingham on June 27 following the gas explosion

The grandmother-of-two has only been allowed back to collect a few essentials, meaning the majority of her possessions remain inside the abandoned property.

She said that as a result she has ‘lost everything’, and has been forced to officially register as homeless because the council has yet to find her a suitable replacement.

Ms Lane, who lives with her grandchildren Megan and Morgan Rowe, aged 11 and 13, said the nearest alternative accommodation she has been offered is 90 miles away – in Luton.

Her daughter Terri Rowe has now set up an online fundraiser to help raise money to replace her possessions which face being lost when the home is bulldozed.

The scene in Kingstanding, Birmingham, after a woman died following the explosion destroying a house on Sunday

Flowers and messages from friends and family were left at the scene on June 28 as locals paid tribute to the woman

Emergency services were called at 8.38pm on June 26 to the house in Kingstanding, Birmingham, which exploded

The home in Kingstanding was completely destroyed as well as huge damage caused to the neighbouring houses

A Birmingham City Council spokesman said ‘Birmingham City Council expresses its deepest sympathy for all those who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.

‘We will continue to work with the local community and other partners to help provide accommodation, food, clothes and any other support that may be required for all those that have been affected.

‘At present, citizens are being accommodated in a local hotel – and this will continue while we clear the site.

‘We also want to be clear that all those affected, who have been made permanently homeless, are being given advice and support by our Housing Officers.’

Anyone who has any information about the theft is urged to contact West Midlands Police via Live Chat on its website quoting: 20/591089/22

Source: Read Full Article