NEIGHBOURS of the family of Stephanie Hammacott have called for

a permanent memorial to be erected in memory of the

nine-year-old.

As floral tributes continue to grow near the site of the gas

explosion that tragically killed Stephanie as she walked to

school on Tuesday morning, residents of Bulteel Gardens and

neighbouring Letherby Close suggested that a stone, bench or

tree might eventually be erected, if the Hammacott family felt

it was appropriate.

Anthony Baum, who lives at 10 Bulteel Gardens, said: “It would

be nice to see something in her memory. Nothing too big, just a

little stone to remember the young girl, who I was quite fond

of. I think a lot of people round here would appreciate

that.”

Mr Baum said he knew Stephanie and her sisters as he had boys

of a similar age. He described a close-knit community that

“mucked in together” and felt “like a big family.”

At least eight of the households in Bulteel Gardens are still

in emergency accommodation as the source of the blast continues

to be investigated, and police and Health and Safety

Investigators have still not been allowed in to the wreckage of

number four, where the blast occurred.

Those who remain spoke of their shock at the tragedy and

expressed their deep sympathy for the Hammacott family.

Letherby Close resident Patricia Massey said: “It will take

people a long time to get over this. We’ve all been traumatised

by it.

She added: “It would be nice to have a memorial for the little

girl.”

Ms Massey’s friend and neighbour Linda Cummins agreed: “There

should definitely be something to remember her.”

Derek Williams, whose home overlooks the blast site, said: “It

would be nice if they could put up a little stone in memory...

something to remember little Stephanie. Other than that there’s

not a lot they can do.”

Yesterday gas engineers continued to work with the emergency

services to make the area safe. The supplier, Wales & West

Utilities, hopes to restore gas to nearby homes this evening.

A large digger was brought to the scene yesterday morning to

demolish the burnt-out house, but that work can’t start until

all the evidence has been gathered.

Police spokesman PC Baxter Provan said: “We want to gather as

much evidence as possible before they bring it down.”

There is growing speculation that the entire row of four

properties may have to be demolished. That decision would

probably be made by a council building inspector, but a

spokesman for Plymouth City Council said it was “too early to

say” how many houses would have to be demolished.

The spokesman added that the council would be considering the

matter of a memorial at a later date.

She said: “It’s certainly something we will be talking to

residents and the Hammacott family about, but right now the

priority is the investigation.”