I Risked My Own Life To Save Him; Gas-Blast Hero's Fury

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Oct 17, 2008

Byline: By PETER TAYLOR

A GAS blast hero who risked his life to save a man has spoken of his anger after the rescued man admitted causing the explosion.

Postman Sean Cavens was hauled from the wreckage of the end-terrace house in Twentieth Avenue, Blyth, after the building was ripped apart in April last year.

He suffered 40% burns and spent several weeks at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle before being discharged to stay with relatives.

An investigation launched by police and the Health and Safety Executive ruled out any fault on the gas meter and Cavens, 27, was arrested in March.

He was due to stand trial at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday on charges of arson with intent and arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

But instead he admitted an amended count of destroying or damaging property being reckless as to whether life would be endangered.

Derek Cooper was one of four bystanders who risked their lives by entering the dangerous shell of the gutted building to rescue Cavens.

The others were neighbours Billy Ward, 38, his partner Vicky Hopkinson, 37, and Steven Soones, 21.

Mr Cooper, 50, of Blyth, said: "There were timbers hanging down, pipes gushing flames and the upstairs of the house was just hanging down.

"It was like a doll's house and somebody had blown the front off. It was just like the carnage of a pit accident.

"When we were getting hold of him our hands were slipping off his burnt skin.

"We got him out and I was about to go back in to see if there were any children upstairs but then somebody said there wasn't. I risked my neck for him and now I feel angry and bitter about it.

"If I had known then what I know now I would have let him rot in there."

Cavens, now living in Burnside, Bedlington, will be sentenced in six weeks' time after the court has considered pre-sentence reports.

The explosion, on the evening of April 16 last year, blew the roof off the house, while the front of the house collapsed, exposing the living room and bedroom. The property, and an adjacent home, had to be demolished.

Cavens is thought to have moved into Twentieth Avenue just weeks before the blast, having separated from his wife.

CAPTION(S):

GUTTED: The aftermath of the explosion in Twentieth Avenue, Blyth. Ten properties had to be evacuated; GUILTY: Sean Cavens caused the blast; BITTER: Derek Cooper, one of four rescuers