Matty,

[InvalidBoy]

thinking about you mate.

I can't quite accept the outcome of the inquest.

Take care fella.

[Major_Tom]

What was that? The investigation into the explosion? Caused by rats they say.. eating through the lead piping to the stove.

Or have I just grabbed a random stick at the wrong end? Apologies if I have, but to be honest I'm concerned - this man has had too much stress already.

[Matty28i]

Johnna,

I'm Still not 100% convinced myself about the out come of the inquest. HSE are not 100% and council are left off the hook. 17 years down the line why were lead gas pipes in any of their properties? Best not comment on some of the statements in the newspaper reports or inquest.

Cut and past the link to get an idea of the devistation.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/a ... ge_id=1770

Thanks for the comments Jonna and Major Tom.

A big thanks to all those that helped out one way or other last year.

Matty28i

[butler2.8i]

Now time to try and put it all behind you matty and move forward, hope things are going well with your projects.

[canzus]

to chase rats, that conclusion is one of the
biggest loads of Bull Sheeeeet I've ever heard.
Known fact; Rats, will not do anything again
that makes them sick, and yes, they tell their
buddies not to do that either... There is another
probable cause, the old doll lived in the house
for how long?? If she was a recent tenant, it's
possible that the property inspector missed the
fact that the house had lead pipe for gas service,
so the resulting damage is his responsibility...
AMHIKTLTBOI...

SteveL

[InvalidBoy]

Steve, rats are clever here too!

On my Da's garden we kept hens and banties, rats were a constant problem. If you had an effective trap it would soon become ineffective as the rats cottoned on and 'told' one another...

So my Da used to catch rat #1 and store it alive in the trap and feed it. He'd prime the trap and leave it. Sometimes it took days, but then he'd catch rat #2. He'd feed them both once then leave them.

Sooner or later, one rat ate the other. Then my Da would release that rat...

...he used to say "It's got the taste of rat now"...

... it seemed to work as rat problems died off for long periods of time.

[Major_Tom]

..and not actually ingest it. A nice, aging, fatigued old lead pipe, perfect for cleaning the teeth. They also seem to munch on things that just feel right.

Mine did anyway!

[mjcapri]

I'd never actually seen how much damage was caused Matty. That's shocking.

I hope, despite the fact that the verdict was a bit indecisive, it can bring some closure for you.

We'll have to have a good crack at one of your motors. And a few beers in the process.

[capri_sam]

You have a pet rat too Tom? Mine used to live in my pocket half the time. They are extremely intelligent animals, they learn very quickly and Tom is right, they will chew for the sake of chewing. They are highly social animals, it wouldnt surprise me if they did scent mark anything which they found presented a danger to warn other rats off it.

This must have happened before I arrived here so i'm not really sure of the story (apologies if i'm speaking out of line), but i'm sorry to hear that there seems to be nothing being done and no blame attributed about the pipes A real tragedy. Hopefully though the publicity if nothing else will force the council or the gas board, whoever is responsible, to get the pipes replaced to avoid anything like this happening again, especially with present worries about towns infrastructures following the flooding I expect there will already be contingency plans being drawn up which might be bought forward. Here's hoping...