This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/7305085.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Girl's death caused by gas main | Girl's death caused by gas main |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A fractured gas main led to the explosion that killed a nine-year-old girl in Plymouth. | A fractured gas main led to the explosion that killed a nine-year-old girl in Plymouth. |
| Stephanie Hammacott was walking to Southway Primary School on 8 January when the explosion ripped through a house in Bulteel Gardens. | Stephanie Hammacott was walking to Southway Primary School on 8 January when the explosion ripped through a house in Bulteel Gardens. |
| Police and health and safety officials said a pipe had fractured on the corner of Bulteel Gardens and Winnicott Close. | Police and health and safety officials said a pipe had fractured on the corner of Bulteel Gardens and Winnicott Close. |
| The gas seeped into an elderly couple's home at Bulteel Gardens, where it was triggered by a naked flame or spark. | The gas seeped into an elderly couple's home at Bulteel Gardens, where it was triggered by a naked flame or spark. |
| Forensic investigations are continuing to try to explain why the main should have fractured in the first place. | Forensic investigations are continuing to try to explain why the main should have fractured in the first place. |
| One possible cause is previous excavation work in the area and police are investigating whether anyone was negligent. | One possible cause is previous excavation work in the area and police are investigating whether anyone was negligent. |
| A full report is expected shortly which will go to the Crown Prosecution Service to determine whether there are any criminal or health and safety offences. | A full report is expected shortly which will go to the Crown Prosecution Service to determine whether there are any criminal or health and safety offences. |
| If it is considered that there are no offences, the report will be passed to the coroner, in preparation for the inquest on Stephanie's death. | If it is considered that there are no offences, the report will be passed to the coroner, in preparation for the inquest on Stephanie's death. |
| Beech trees | |
| Stephanie's funeral was held at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth, in January. | Stephanie's funeral was held at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth, in January. |
| Her mother Carol, who was walking to school with her but escaped the blast with minor injuries, wore pink along with most of congregation, in recognition of Stephanie's favourite colour. | Her mother Carol, who was walking to school with her but escaped the blast with minor injuries, wore pink along with most of congregation, in recognition of Stephanie's favourite colour. |
| The family said Stephanie was a bright, happy girl who was "caring, helpful, thoughtful and considerate". | The family said Stephanie was a bright, happy girl who was "caring, helpful, thoughtful and considerate". |
| "Family and friends have fantastic memories of our Steph," they said. "Rest in peace our little angel." | "Family and friends have fantastic memories of our Steph," they said. "Rest in peace our little angel." |
| Nine copper beech tree saplings have been dedicated to her by pupils and staff at her school, Southway Primary. |