LOCALS living next to an “eyesore” house say it’s ruining their lives after it exploded a year ago.
Four people were shockingly injured when a property was flattened in a huge blast just days after Christmas.
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Nearby homeowners in Hemmingway, Evesham, have been forced to look at a “bombsite” for the last 12 months after the foundations were obliterated.
Neighbouring homes were also left damaged in the chaos, which residents say “nothing has been done” to fix them.
Scaffolding was only erected shortly before Christmas this year – with progress since being stalled.
As many hope works will continue again in the New Year, they’re still furious it’s taken so long to get to this stage.
Jason Arthurs, 53, who lives a few doors down from the pile of rubble, said they’ve had to be really careful just heating up their homes this winter over gas fears.
The dad-of-two said: “The scaffolding has only recently gone up so we hope this is the start of some progress.
“Up until now there’s been the issue of absent landlords overseas not wanting responsibility for something that is now a liability rather than an asset.
“There’s also been an ongoing health and safety investigation which has meant work to the neighbouring property has been delayed.
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“We have been fed-up waiting for so long living next to the site. It has been a source of frustration that nothing has been done after all this time.
“It has left our properties open to the elements in the colder months too so we’ve had to be careful heating our homes.
“It has been quite poignant putting up decorations this year because we were evacuated from our homes around this time last year.
“We didn’t really get a Christmas as we were in a hotel for much of the festive period. It does bring it all back.”
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, added: “The woman who lived next door is still waiting to get back in her home 12 months on.
“We’ve been forced to live next to a bomb site for a year with nothing going on.
“We hope these workmen will crack on with the job but I imagine there’s still a lot of red tape to deal with.
“There’s a lot of legal wrangling going on, I understand, which has been delaying things, but somebody needs to take responsibility.
“It shouldn’t just be left like this for a year.”
At the time, West Mercia Police launched a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
But the force has now said the probe has since been handed over solely to the HSE.
At the time, three people were taken to hospital for treatment.
They did not suffer life-threatening injuries and were soon discharged.
Police evacuated ten neighbouring homes and gas supply was also cut off from 35 properties.
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The HSE confirmed they were still investigating the explosion but the rebuild of the houses was a matter for insurers.
A HSE spokesperson added: “We are now leading the investigation into the gas explosion in Evesham on 27 December 2022.”
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