Codsall gas explosion inquiry

A gas blast that wrecked a West Midland dental laboratory injuring 12 people was today at the centre of a major inquiry.

Experts were today sifting through the debris at Aesthetic Dental Laboratory in Codsall, near Wolverhampton, after gas cylinders exploded, sparking a blaze.

Three women were taken to hospital, including one flown by air ambulance, after the blast in Bilbrook Road. It is believed the cylinders were being kept in an adjacent garage, used by the laboratory as a storage room. The force of the blast blew off two doors, sending them flying 15ft through the air before landing in the road.

Eleven workers from the lab were evacuated into Image Hair Studio next door after the explosion yesterday, before being treated by paramedics for minor injuries in Lloyds Pharmacy, opposite the laboratory.

A woman, believed to be aged 43, was flown to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham after complaining of hip and abdominal pain. There were unconfirmed reports that she had been "thrown" out of the laboratory and into the road by the force of the blast.

Another was taken to New Cross Hospital after suffering neck pain, and a woman in her 20s later developed pins and needles while in her car in Bilston after leaving the scene. She called 999 at 5.35pm, around three hours after the blast, and was taken to Sandwell Hospital.

The matter has now been reported to the Health and Safety Executive.

Jim Gowman, 41, a health and safety manager who lives opposite the lab, said: "I heard the bang and went outside to see what had happened, the doors had been blown across the road and a fire had started.

"The workers were rushing out of the building and one of them was lying on the ground, we couldn't tell if she was injured or in shock. That's when I told my wife to call the emergency services."

One worker at the laboratory, who did not want to be named, said: "Everyone is in shock." Roads around the shop were sealed off for more than two hours after the blast at 2.40pm yesterday, and pupils leaving Lane Green First School nearby were sent home via a back entrance so emergency crews were not disturbed.

Firefighters called to the scene put out the blaze in less than an hour.

National Grid, who were also called out and cut off the gas supply to the dental laboratory, ruled out a gas leak as the cause.

Spokeswoman Jane Taylor confirmed gas cylinders were at the centre of the investigation.

Today, scaffolding was being put up to support the building.

By Alex Campbell and Victoria Nash