A pensioner who died in an explosion at his home that “shook neighboring houses like a earthquakeaccidentally cut into a gas pipe with a power saw, an inquest has learned.
Father of two Frank Burton, 91, was found dead after the ‘massive’ blast in Wythenshawe, south Manchester, on March 31 last year.
The death of the retired motor mechanic sparked a massive emergency response, with police, fire and gas workers stationed at his semi-detached house on Brownley Lane for several days.
At a hearing in Manchester Coroners’ Court, it was said that Mr Burton, a widower whose wife Brenda died 10 years ago, was sawing a worktop with a power saw in his kitchen when he accidentally ‘punctured a gas pipe underneath’.
Father-of-two Frank Burton, 91, was found dead after the ‘massive’ blast in Wythenshawe, south Manchester, on March 31 last year
The death of the retired motor mechanic sparked a massive emergency response, with police, fire and gas workers stationed at his semi-detached house on Brownley Lane for several days.
A number of houses were without power after the explosion in March last year
Senior coroner Nigel Meadows said: ‘This led to a gas escape which ignited and caused an explosion and fire that killed the deceased in the kitchen.’
The court heard that Mr Burton died as a result of extensive burns and smoke inhalation, with Mr Meadows concluding that his death was accidental.
A major incident was announced for a short time after the blast, in which Mr Burton’s house was completely destroyed.
Several local residents were evacuated from their homes for hours. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a “massive” bang that “shook their houses like an earthquake” as the house exploded.
Initially, Mr Burton’s family feared he had used a device to help with a cold wind, but the inquest heard that this played no part in the explosion.
In tribute, Mr. Burton’s brother, Philip, described him as “good character” and a “good fellow.”
Philip previously said: ‘Frank was in the car industry, he did bodywork and was very skilled and respected. He was the father of two children.
“This is a guy who once took a hot air balloon ride over the Grand Canyon on the job. He was an occasional visitor to Las Vegas. I haven’t been able to reach Frank for a while, he was deaf. He was deaf because he was blown out of bed during the war during The Blitz in Manchester.”
Mr. Burton’s son, Paul, wrote his own heartbreaking tribute to his father, who he said gave him a “great upbringing.”
In a police statement, Paul said his father had lived in the house on Brownley Road for 66 years.
He said he grew up in Hulme, before moving to Northenden and then with Brenda to his mother-in-law’s house in Wythenshawe.
Paul said, ‘My father was a young boy of eight when World War II broke out and he survived two bombings.’
Mr Burton, a widower whose wife Brenda (pictured together on their wedding day) died ten years ago, was in his kitchen cutting a worktop with a power saw when he accidentally ‘punctured a gas pipe underneath’
Several local residents were evacuated from their homes for hours
A major incident was announced for a short time after the blast, in which Mr Burton’s house was completely destroyed
Emergency services at the site of last year’s gas explosion in Wythenshawe
He said the family would enjoy vacations when Paul was younger, and that Paul and his father would travel to the United States together every year after his mother’s death.
Paul added: ‘To say my father was very artistic was an understatement. He could fix almost anything people gave him, especially broken jewelry.
“When I was little, I would hear him in his workshop, with the door firmly closed – once a handmade life-sized Dalek came out.
‘I have no regrets at all because I can’t say ‘I wish I had done this or that’, I did everything I could for both my parents and have very, very happy memories of a grand upbringing. Good night dad. Love from your son, Paul.’