19:01:08: Blast 'used by gas salesman'
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched by British Gas after one of
its employees called on a home to allegedly promote the firm’s
products on the back of the tragic explosion which killed
nine-year-old Stephanie Hammacott.
The company confirmed that it had launched an investigation
into any ‘mis-selling’ after a resident complained to The
Herald.
Schoolgirl Stephanie died as a result of the gas explosion in
Bulteel Gardens, Southway, last week, in an incident which
shocked the city.
According to Harriet Gardens’ resident, Dr Paul Jarvis, on
Wednesday this week a caller claiming to be a British Gas
employee came round to his Plympton home.
The 44-year-old said: “We had British Gas salesmen around on
Wednesday evening trying to sell their Homecare plans on the
back of this event.
“We were upset because we felt we were getting an opportunist
around trying to sell plans to maintain our central heating
systems.
“I was not best pleased with the company’s approach.”
Dr Jarvis complained to The Herald and British Gas yesterday
confirmed it was investigating the incident.
Mr Jarvis, a safety case project manager at Devonport Dockyard,
who lives with his wife Caroline and two children, said: “The
salesman’s opening statement was: ‘Have you heard about the gas
explosion at Southway?’
“He then went directly into questions relating to maintenance
of my gas boiler and central heating system.
“While I agree that regular maintenance of a gas boiler is a
good thing, and could potentially save lives, I am not happy
that they chose this particular time – and referred to the
Southway incident as an opening line – to get interest and
potential business.”
British Gas said yesterday that the company was “following its
full disciplinary” on the case – and was treating it “extremely
seriously”.
Sian Callaghan, a spokeswoman for British Gas, said: “We are
taking this allegation very seriously and have launched a
formal investigation.
“We will not tolerate mis-selling of any form from our
employees.
“As a company, we expect our employees working within the
community to be sensitive to this tragic incident and will take
immediate action against any individual who has not been.”
Earlier this week, The Herald reported how investigators
looking into the cause of the explosion had found a fracture in
a gas pipe in the street.
However, they have stressed that the precise cause has not yet
been established and that it is too early to rule anything
out.








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