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.