'Switch Off' Gas Appliances: HSENI

A gas safety warning has been issued following last week's suspected double carbon monoxide poisoning tragedies.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSENI) investigation into the deaths of two Newtownabbey teenagers at an apartment in Castlerock has established that a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) appliance in the flat in Tunnel Brae Court in the Co Londonderry seaside village was defective.

A statement said: "In order to determine the level of risk that exists to public safety and to quickly minimise any further risks, HSENI is working with its industry stakeholders to contact LPG customers who may be affected."

As an additional precaution, HSENI is advising anyone who had gas work carried out in their home or premises by George Brown - trading as George Brown of The Calor Shop in Coleraine - that they switch off all gas appliances and contact HSENI's emergency helpline number.

This is a freefone number, 0800 0320 121 that will operate from 8am until midnight.

Meanwhile, HSENI has reiterated its general guidelines with regards to gas safety.

These concern symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, breathlessness, collapse, or loss of consciousness, which should spark medical help immediately.

They also suggest that users install an audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarm as a further precautionary measure.

Newtownabbey teenagers, Aaron Davidson and Neil McFerran, died in Tunnel Brae Court apartment last Tuesday following a suspected carbon monoxide leak.

Their friend, Matthew Gaw, survived.

HSENI said it was continuing to carry out checks in other premises in Castlerock and Coleraine.

(BMcC/GK)