An inquest heard that a man who died in a home explosion that “shook nearby houses like an earthquake” had mistakenly cut through a gas pipe with a power saw.
Father-of-two Frank Burton, 91, was discovered dead on March 31, 2017 in Wythenshawe, south Manchester, following the ‘massive’ explosion.
Police, fire crews, and gas workers were stationed at the semi-detached residence on Brownley Lane for several days following the death of the retired auto mechanic.
Mr. Burton, a widower whose wife Brenda died a decade ago, was cutting a countertop with a power saw in his kitchen when he “accidentally penetrated a gas pipe underneath,” according to testimony at the Manchester Coroners’ Court.
Father-of-two Frank Burton, 91, was discovered dead following the ‘massive’ explosion in south Manchester’s Wythenshawe on March 31, 2017.
Police, fire crews, and gas workers were stationed at the semi-detached residence on Brownley Lane for several days following the death of the retired auto mechanic.
Senior coroner Nigel Meadows stated, “This resulted in a gas leak that ignited, causing an explosion and a fire that killed the victim in the kitchen.”
Mr. Meadows determined that Mr. Burton’s death was unintentional based on his serious burns and smoke inhalation.
Following the explosion, which entirely destroyed Mr. Burton’s home, a major incident was proclaimed for a brief time.
Several hours were spent evacuating several neighbors from their homes. As the house burst, witnesses described hearing a “huge” explosion that “shook their homes like an earthquake.”
Mr. Burton’s family first believed that he had used an appliance to combat the chilly weather, but the inquest revealed that this was not a factor in the explosion.
Mr. Burton’s brother, Philip, paid tribute by describing him as a “good character” and “good guy.”
Philip stated previously, ‘Frank worked in the automotive sector; he was very proficient and well-respected for his body work. He was a father of two.
This gentleman once went ballooning above the Grand Canyon while working. He occasionally traveled to Las Vegas. Frank was deaf, so I’ve been unable to reach him for some time. He was deaf when he was blown out of bed during The Blitz in Manchester during World War II.’
Paul Burton, the son of Mr. Burton, offered a heartfelt homage to his father, whom he described as having provided him with a “grand upbringing.”
Paul stated in a police-issued statement that his father had lived on Brownley Road for 66 years.
He stated that he was raised in Hulme before relocating to Northenden and subsequently to his mother-in-residence law’s in Wythenshawe with Brenda.
Paul stated, “When the Second World War broke out, my father was only eight years old, and he survived being bombed out twice.”
Mr. Burton, a widower whose late wife Brenda (shown together on their wedding day) passed away a decade ago, was cutting a kitchen worktop with a power saw when he inadvertently “pierced a gas pipe underneath.”
Following the explosion, which entirely destroyed Mr. Burton’s home, a major incident was proclaimed for a brief time.
After his mother’s death, he and Paul would travel to the United States annually.
Paul continued, ‘To say that my father was artistic would be an understatement. He could fix nearly everything that people handed him, especially shattered jewelry.
“When I was a child, I could hear dad working in his workshop with the door closed; once, a homemade Dalek of life-size emerged.
“I have no regrets whatsoever, as I cannot say “I wish I had done this or that”; I did everything I could for both my parents and have very, very fond recollections of a wonderful upbringing. Goodnight Dad. Love from your son, Paul.’
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