Families are unable to return to their homes with some still stuck in hotels eight months after fatal gas blast which killed a four-year-old girl
- Sahara Salman was killed in the fatal blast in Thornton Heath on August 8, 2022
- Dozens of families were evacuated and haven’t been allowed back home
Dozens of families have been left unable to return to their homes for eight months after a devastating gas explosion which killed a little girl.
A total of 27 families, some of whom are still living in hotels, have been left homeless after the blast in Thornton Heath on August 8, last year.
The horrific incident took place after a gas leak at the family home of four-year-old Sahara Salman, who was tragically killed in the resulting explosion which led to the evacuation of hundreds of people.
In February her family hit out at Merton Council as Sahara’s mother revealed they were ‘sleeping on the floor’ six months after the blast killed her daughter and destroyed all their possessions.
Earlier this week the council confirmed that many families are still ‘displaced’ as a result of the explosion and have not been allowed to return home – although those whose homes weren’t destroyed should be able to go back ‘in the next few weeks’.
Sahara Salman, pictured, was killed in the gas explosion on August 11, last year, at her home in Thornton Heath
The blast destroyed the Salman family home and damaged dozens of others in the quiet residential street
The tragic blast, which is being investigated by police, demolished the Salman family homes and damaged others on the quiet residential street of Galpin’s Road, near Croydon.
READ MORE HERE: Heartbroken mother of four-year-old girl who was killed in gas blast reveals her family are still ‘sleeping on the floor’ six months later
In the immediate aftermath hundreds of people were moved out of their homes to ensure their safety.
Since them many have returned, but at a meeting on Wednesday, Merton Council said 27 families remained ‘displaced’.
Ross Garrod, leader of the council, said apart from homes that were destroyed in the explosion, ‘the rest of the houses should be ready for reoccupation in the next few weeks’, the BBC reports.
Speaking in February, Sana Ahmad – the mother of Sahara – confirmed she and her family were residing in a living room while awaiting a place to live.
She emotionally spoke of how her last memory of Sahara was ‘kissing her good night, telling her how much I loved her, and promising to see her in the morning’.
She said at the time: ‘As a parent, it is a nightmare come true to know that my daughter lost her life in the very bed where she should have felt safe and secure.
‘Sahara was a shining star in our lives, and her absence is felt deeply.
‘Despite this tragedy, we are still homeless and sleeping on the floor.
‘My three children and I have lost everything and it’s devastating to see them without their belongings and a place to call home.
‘They miss their sister and are scared to go to school.
Eight months later Merton Council has admitted that 27 families are still ‘displaced’ after the explosion
The explosion took place in Galpin’s Road, Thornton Heath, in south London on August 11, last year
‘We deserve support in this difficult time but it feels like we’ve been left to fend for ourselves.
READ MORE HERE: Mother of four-year-old girl killed in gas blast says her ‘world has been torn apart’ as she tells of moment house exploded
‘It’s unfair that we are being treated this way and left without proper support.
‘It’s difficult to understand why the council is struggling to find a suitable home for us to live in after such a long time.
‘It feels like torture to be left to suffer like this.’
Previously she had slammed Southern Gas Networks (SGN), accusing them of neglecting problems in the area.
Earlier this month the company restarted a project to complete the replacement of a gas main in Galpin’s Road, which it says ‘is essential for the continued safe and reliable gas supply across the wider community’.
It previously announced it was donating half-a-million pounds to the council and providing hotel accommodation for those affected.
At a community meeting with residents in the immediate aftermath of the blast Martin Holloway, executive operations director for SGN, told an angry crowd the company was ‘shocked and saddened’ by what had happened.
Mr Holloway told locals at the community meeting: ‘Whilst I appreciate it is frustrating given the ongoing police investigation, I’m unable to talk about what happened in the run-up to the explosion.
‘I know that’s difficult because people want answers about what’s happening.’
The blast completely demolished a house and damaged others, leaving debris strewn across a wide area
However, locals immediately began shouting at Mr Holloway, who had to stop speaking.
Two residents walked out of the meeting while shouting at the company representative, with one describing the investigation as a ‘whitewash’.
One resident said the company had ‘blood on their hands’, while another demanded answers, as ‘houses don’t just blow up’.
Mr Holloway confirmed that ‘the entire history, both electronic and paper’ of all the work carried out by SGN on Galpin’s Road would be available to the police for their investigation.
He added that the company would also make a ‘voluntary goodwill contribution’ to the local council following the blast.
MailOnline has contacted SGN for comment.
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