Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Three gross negligence manslaughter arrests following fatal Jersey explosion

States of Jersey Police said all three suspects had been interviewed and bailed while the investigation continues.

Josh Payne
Friday 18 August 2023 13:33 BST
The aftermath of the explosion in Jersey in December last year (Daniel Hunt/PA)
The aftermath of the explosion in Jersey in December last year (Daniel Hunt/PA) (PA Media)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter after an explosion at a block of flats killed 10 people.

States of Jersey Police said the trio have been released on bail while the investigation continues following the fatal blast in the island’s capital St Helier just after 4am on December 10 last year.

The force urged islanders not to speculate on the identities of those arrested and said the victims’ families continued to be updated on the probe.

Police said the suspects were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday and have been interviewed by detectives as part of Operation Spire, which is being conducted alongside the Health and Safety Inspectorate.

A total of 21 officers from the force have been seconded full time on the investigation.

Since the probe began, police said there have been 708 statements recorded, 1,276 exhibits obtained, 3,933 documents generated, and 1,307 lines of inquiry pursued.

The 10 victims of the blast were Peter Bowler, 72, Raymond (Raymie) Brown, 71, Romeu and Louise De Almeida, 67 and 64, Derek and Sylvia Ellis, 61 and 73, Ken and Jane Ralph, 72 and 71, Kathleen McGinness, 73, and 63-year-old Billy Marsden.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in