Seven other workers are injured in gas explosion on Welwyn Garden City data centre project

One worker has been killed and seven others injured in an explosion on a Laing O'Rourke site in Hertfordshire.

The explosion, on a Welwyn Garden City site being worked on by Laing O’Rourke subsidiary Crown House Data Solutions, happened yesterday afternoon. The cause of the addicent has yet to be confirmed but early indications suggest a gas canister used in fire suprression systems exploded.

The man who was killed has not been named, although police have informed his relatives. Two of the injured employees remain in hospital in a serious condition. The other workers have been treated and discharged

Liam Cummins, managing director of Crown House, said: “This is a tragic event and our thoughts are with the family of our colleague who has tragically lost his life and with those who have been injured.”

“I would also like to pay tribute to the emergency services who displayed exemplary professionalism in dealing with this incident.”

The project is a data centre scheme; the client has not been confirmed. Police and the Health and Safety Executive are investigating.