Handsworth barber caused massive explosion that blew out window after pipes tampered with

A barber has been punished in court over a gas blast which caused a window to blow out onto the street. The explosion took place at Mardin Barbers on Holyhead Road in Handsworth around 2.30pm on June 16, 2022.

A pedestrian was nearly struck and injured as glass showered the pavement while a rear wall collapsed and buildings in the area had to be evacuated. Hiwa Kadar, who suffered minor burns to his arms in the incident, admitted a health and safety offence.

The 42-year-old from Smethwick was sentenced to 12 months suspended for two years at Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, September 12. Birmingham City Council, which prosecuted Kadar, stated that an investigation revealed new gas pipes had been fitted to older ones and the pipes had been extended prior to the explosion.

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There were also fixtures and fittings that indicated a catering business was operating from the premises but they were removed shortly after the incident. The council confirmed the barbers had been let to Kadar without a gas supply but that the gas meter serving the tenants was locked inside the unit.

The authority stated: "A principal gas incident investigation engineer gave expert opinion that the cause of the explosion was gas leaking from the open ends of the newly installed pipes. The installation of gas work pipes should be subject to a building regulation application and no such application was submitted for this work.

"Mr Kadar had also not notified the managing agents, nor the landlords of the gas work and he has not provided any details of the person responsible for the extended gas pipes which should have been carried out by Gas Safe registered engineer. The time and effort involved in the removal of catering equipment and illegally fitted pipe work suggested a deliberate effort to undermine any investigation."

Kadar was ordered to carry out rehabilitation activities as part of his sentence while the court will order how much he has to pay towards prosecution costs at a later date. The barber has since closed and he is not the owner of the current business trading from the address.

Councillor Sam Forsyth, chair of the licensing and public protection committee, said: "I am thankful that no one was seriously injured but this frightening incident could easily have been avoided by appointing a Gas Safe registered engineer. This council will take swift enforcement action against those that fall below the required standard."