Family of Sahara Salman still ‘sleeping on the floor’ 11 weeks after house explosion

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

The family of a four-year-old girl killed in a huge gas explosion are still sleeping on the floor.

It has been 11 weeks since Sahara Salman died after the explosion in Galpin’s Road, Thornton Heath, which saw the evacuation of hundreds of residents, with two people still recovering from severe injuries.

The MP for Mitcham and Morden, Siobhain McDonagh, brought members of the community to the House of Commons on Friday afternoon where she led a debate on the issue.

She said neighbours felt “lucky to be alive” after the blast.

She read out a moving statement from the mother of Sahara, who would have started school in September and turned five just a few weeks ago.

The statement from Sana Ahmed, read out by Ms McDonagh, said: “My four children and I are victims of a gas explosion. I made the phone call to (gas company) SGN on July 30, 2022, to save every single resident in Galpin’s Road. What did I get as a result?

“I tried to help and warn of this gas explosion but my own daughter and our family are victims of such an explosion just days later. A dead child.

“I am the one who lost my beloved daughter, how does this make any sense? I called that number and I’ve been sentenced to life.

“What I find absolutely outrageous is that 10 weeks after this horrific tragedy my children and I sleep on the floor as if we have not been through enough. Why have we not been offered housing?”

Ms McDonagh said she had pushed Merton council to urgently sort out the housing situation of the grieving family, who were watching the debate online.

The Labour MP said: “[Residents] were asked to move out of their homes with no notice, no belongings and no idea when they would return, many have remained evacuated to this day. Their strength and fortitude has been nothing short of remarkable.”

Explaining what happened shortly after 7am on August 8, she said residents had been reporting the smell of gas for more than a week. She said: “Those same residents need the investigation to confirm their concerns had been heard.

“They need it to establish why the problem took so long to fix and they need the investigation to determine whether the reporting mechanism for smelling gas is fit for purpose and how this tragedy happened. We must ensure that it never, ever happens again.”

She said more support should have come from the government and claimed it took seven weeks to get a response to a letter for more help.

Minister for Housing Lee Rowley said the government had been in touch with Merton council about applying for the Bellwin Scheme which provides emergency financial support to local authorities.

Mr Rowley added: “I would like to pass on my condolences to the family of Sahara and send my best wishes to Sana and her family and say thank you to all the residents for coming at such a difficult time.

“I hope the Metropolitan Police and the Health and Safety Executive complete their investigation quickly.”

Pictured top: Sahara Salman (Picture: Metropolitan Police)