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Inquiry after girl's blast death Inquiry after girl's blast death
(40 minutes later)
Investigators are trying to establish the cause of a gas explosion at a house in Devon that left a nine-year-old girl dead and four other people injured.Investigators are trying to establish the cause of a gas explosion at a house in Devon that left a nine-year-old girl dead and four other people injured.
Stephanie Hammacott was fatally injured when a wall blew out as she walked past the house in Southway in Plymouth.Stephanie Hammacott was fatally injured when a wall blew out as she walked past the house in Southway in Plymouth.
Police officers have now confirmed asbestos is present at the scene which is making the operation more hazardous.Police officers have now confirmed asbestos is present at the scene which is making the operation more hazardous.
Stephanie died in hospital after the explosion, which destroyed the house at about 0800 GMT on Tuesday.Stephanie died in hospital after the explosion, which destroyed the house at about 0800 GMT on Tuesday.
Two occupants of the Bulteel Gardens house suffered smoke inhalation. 'Still smouldering'
"Clearly one of problems we've got is the unstable nature of the building," said group commander Malcolm Carmichael from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue.
"We are going to have to work our way very carefully through that without disturbing too much of the evidence which would hamper the investigation.
"We've still got a smouldering building and a thorough investigation to complete."
He said the house had been "almost completely destroyed" by the blast.
Two occupants of the Bulteel Gardens house suffered smoke inhalation and one of them, an elderly woman, is believed to still be in the city's Derriford Hospital.
Rubble from the house was blown up to 15m Firefighters at scene
A passer-by was also slightly injured in the explosion, which led to the evacuation of several nearby homes.A passer-by was also slightly injured in the explosion, which led to the evacuation of several nearby homes.
Stephanie was on her way to breakfast club at Southway Primary School with her mother when the wall blew out, trapping her under the rubble.Stephanie was on her way to breakfast club at Southway Primary School with her mother when the wall blew out, trapping her under the rubble.
Her 38-year-old mother received minor injuries.Her 38-year-old mother received minor injuries.
Dan Kershaw, who lives across the road from the damaged property, said: "Loads of people came to dig out the girl from the rubble.Dan Kershaw, who lives across the road from the damaged property, said: "Loads of people came to dig out the girl from the rubble.
Rubble from the house was blown up to 15m Firefighters at scene
"I could not look any more because she was in such a bad way. She was all burnt and battered.""I could not look any more because she was in such a bad way. She was all burnt and battered."
Eyewitnesses spoke of flames leaping into the air and smoke billowing across the area, where rubble from the blast was strewn up to 50ft (15m) away.Eyewitnesses spoke of flames leaping into the air and smoke billowing across the area, where rubble from the blast was strewn up to 50ft (15m) away.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service group commander Malcolm Carmichael said the house had been "almost completely destroyed" by the blast.
He said: "To be walking past when a gas explosion happened is a true tragedy."
People living in 12 houses in the surrounding area were not allowed to go back to their homes overnight.People living in 12 houses in the surrounding area were not allowed to go back to their homes overnight.
The houses have been boarded up and the residents were offered alternative accommodation.The houses have been boarded up and the residents were offered alternative accommodation.
One family is being put up in bed-and-breakfast accommodation by Plymouth City Council, while the others are staying with friends or family.One family is being put up in bed-and-breakfast accommodation by Plymouth City Council, while the others are staying with friends or family.
The house was on fire for some time after the explosion
They will only be allowed home once the fire service and gas company have given the all-clear.They will only be allowed home once the fire service and gas company have given the all-clear.
Police said gas detection equipment was at the scene and the area was under constant monitoring.Police said gas detection equipment was at the scene and the area was under constant monitoring.
The house was on fire for some time after the explosion
Officers said they had been told people could smell gas in the area prior to the explosion.Officers said they had been told people could smell gas in the area prior to the explosion.
Counsellors from the council's Education Psychology Service were at Stephanie's school all day on Tuesday offering their support, along with parent support advisers.Counsellors from the council's Education Psychology Service were at Stephanie's school all day on Tuesday offering their support, along with parent support advisers.
The council says that help will continue to be available at the school to anyone who needs it.The council says that help will continue to be available at the school to anyone who needs it.
The school said in a statement: "Stephanie was a popular and caring pupil who brightened up the lives of children."The school said in a statement: "Stephanie was a popular and caring pupil who brightened up the lives of children."
Plymouth City Council said the house was one of its properties and confirmed the property had undergone a problem-free maintenance check in June.Plymouth City Council said the house was one of its properties and confirmed the property had undergone a problem-free maintenance check in June.
Wales and West Utilities said an investigation into the explosion's cause was under way with emergency services and the Health and Safety Executive.Wales and West Utilities said an investigation into the explosion's cause was under way with emergency services and the Health and Safety Executive.
"We shall be working with other authorities to get to the bottom of it," said a spokesman."We shall be working with other authorities to get to the bottom of it," said a spokesman.