OVER 60 people impacted by the devastating New Ferry gas explosion in 2017 have settled claims against two major gas suppliers.
On March 25 2017 at 9.14pm in the evening, the largest explosion in Merseyside since World War Two, tore out part of New Ferry shopping district and destroyed many homes in the surrounding area.
The catastrophic event, caused by deliberate actions during an insurance fraud attempt, injured over 80 people, damaged more than 60 properties, and left lasting scars on the local community.
In 2019, Contract Natural Gas (CNG), the company that supplied gas to Blasio’s property, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £320,000 and ordered to pay £50,000 towards prosecution costs in the criminal case.
The civil case was listed for trial in February 2025 but has now settled after a 2.5 day mediation by Richard Methuen KC.
Phoenix Solicitors brought claims against Cadent Gas Limited, Contract Natural Gas (CNG), and associated insurers, alleging negligence in failing to identify and disconnect the gas supply that facilitated the explosion.
The Birkenhead-based firm has now secured compensation for 57 individuals who sustained physical injuries and four property owners, helping them to rebuild their lives.
Whilst the cases settled, they did so without a formal admission of liability from either Cadent Gas or Contract Natural Gas.
The cases were brought on the basis that the gas supplier, Contract Natural Gas, removed the gas meter supply to No 43 Bebington Road but incorrectly stated that the address was No 41 and so the database that records all meter registration numbers incorrectly recorded that the gas supply had been disconnected to No 41 Bebington Road.
The supply should have been disconnected following the removal of the meter. Cadent sent an employee to 41 Bebington Road on two occasions but the disconnection was not undertaken as they had been provided with the incorrect address.
Alisha Butler, Director of Phoenix Solicitors, said the firm chose to forgo this fee as a reflection of the firm’s commitment to its community.
She said: “As a proud member of the local community, I felt it was our responsibility to prioritise our clients’ recovery over profit. At Phoenix, community ties are not just words; they are part of who we are.
“For me, when I met with the community in 2019 to talk to them about their legal options, following the explosion and some of them started to talk to me about what they had lost, I knew that I needed to try to help them fight for justice, as people had lost their homes, businesses and life as they knew it.
Another solicitor working on the case was Dianne Yates, director at Hilary Meredith Solicitors which also represented some of those affected.
Ms Yates said: "Seven years ago, the New Ferry Explosion, caused in part by Mr Blasio, wrecked lives and livelihoods.
"It destroyed a neighbourhood. We were privileged to act as lead claimant in an action involving multiple claimant and defendant firms. I would like to thank the team at Hilary Meredith Solicitors for their tireless work on this case. I would also like to thank the other claimant and defendant firms for their collaborative approach. Finally, justice has been done.”
A spokesperson for Cadent said: "We can confirm that the claims arising from the New Ferry explosion, which was found to have been deliberately caused by the occupier of the Homes in Style furniture store, have been settled.
"Our thoughts, then and now, are with everyone impacted by the 2017 incident."
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