SPECULATION ERUPTED today over what could have caused the Shrewsbury explosion, which ripped the heart out of the town and left 12 people injured.

It has emerged that National Grid, in a solicitor’s letter, has made allegations about BT relating to the cause of the blast, which happened below a flat on the corner of Bridge Street and Smithfield Road in January.

The town is still waiting for the Health and Safety Executive to publish its report into how the incident happened.

But a letter from solicitors Eversheds, which is acting for National Grid, claims a concrete chamber for BT was laid in an incorrect position and constructed close to an existing gas main.

Evidence

National Grid would today not comment, but BT said it was aware of the claims but had seen no evidence to support the allegations. The solicitor’s letter, obtained by the BBC and seen by the Shropshire Star, states that concrete used to construct a BT chamber had “encased the gas main to one side”.

The letter claims: “BT was negligent in constructing a chamber so close to National Grid’s gas main and encasing the same with concrete.

“As a result of BT’s breach of statutory duty and negligence National Grid’s main fractured and gas escaped which led to the explosion. National Grid hold BT liable for the explosion and the losses flowing from it.”

Jane Taylor, a spokeswoman for National Grid, said: “We’re not able to make any further comment at the moment as we’re still waiting for the formal Health and Safety Executive report to be issued.”

Emma Tennant, a spokeswoman for BT, today said: “BT is aware of the fact that a gas explosion occurred in Shrewsbury on January 3 and that claims have been brought as a result. BT is liaising with the parties to determine the facts and bases of any claims. There is no evidence to date which attributes fault to BT.

“Despite several requests put to them, National Grid have provided no substantive evidence to support their allegations that BT were at fault.”

By Emma Kasprzak