THE DAUGHTER of a woman who died following a massive gas explosion at her home in Thurgoland believes her mum would still be alive today if the fire service had done adequate checks.
Margaret Wilson, 69, was caught in the explosion at Tontine Lodge, Cote Lane, just hours after a stolen car erupted into flames outside her cottage.
Sheffield coroner's court heard this week how Mrs Wilson and her husband Leonard, 78, were given the all clear by fire-fighters to back into their home after the car fire was put out.
But the inquest heard fire-fighters had failed to see any damage to a gas inlet pipe on the side of the house which had been less than two feet away from the burning car.
An hour later a witness said the roof was lifted off in the explosion when Mrs Wilson attempted to turn off the boiler thermostat. She suffered 30 per cent burns and died in hospital eight weeks later.
Full story including the coroner's verdict in this week's Chronicle.
