Family of ‘caring and funny’ father, 57, who was killed in house explosion believe it was caused by fire that was started deliberately after melted petrol can was found behind front door
- Carl Whalley, 57, died in a house explosion in Clayton-le-Woods on October 15
- Brother Dan Whalley claims a ‘melted plastic petrol can’ was found near home
- The investigation into the cause of the explosion could take months to conclude
The family of a ‘caring and funny’ man who was killed in a house explosion believe it may have been the work of an arson attack.
The brother of Carl Whalley, 57, who died when his house collapsed in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, on October 15, claims a ‘melted plastic petrol can’ was found near the property.
Dan Whalley also claimed that investigators discovered accelerant on the curtains in a downstairs room.
Dan claimed the discoveries have only recently come to light, although they have yet to be confirmed by official sources.
Mail Online has contacted Lancashire Police and Lancashire Fire and Rescue for comment.
Both forces are involved in the complex investigation, which could take months to conclude.
The brother of Carl Whalley, 57, who died when his house collapsed in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, on October 15, claims a ‘melted plastic petrol can’ was found near the property (Pictured: Tragic Carl Whalley)
Carl’s heartbroken family say they are still waiting for more answers from a joint police and fire service investigation into the explosion (Pictured: House of Carl following blast)
Carl is believed to have been upstairs when the explosion occurred, Dan added.
He told the Lancashire Post: ‘An accelerant, such as petrol, was found on the curtains and in the room downstairs.
‘A melted plastic petrol can was found behind the front door.’
Carl’s body was found in the wreckage of the dormer bungalow after an explosion and fireball levelled the house last month.
Police are reportedly looking into claims made by Carl about a long-running dispute with a neighbour, which is said to have been going on for several years, reported the Lancashire Post.
Carl’s heartbroken family say they are still waiting for more answers from a joint police and fire service investigation into the explosion.
It comes after they attended a ‘beautiful’ funeral service for Carl and laid flowers at the site of the blast.
Dan said: ‘It was the worst day of my life.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) area manager Tony Crook said the property collapsed at about the time firefighters arrived on the scene. Nearby residents were evacuated
Police community support officer’s attend the scene of the explosion on October 15
‘But the ceremony was beautiful, and he was surrounded by friends and family on a bright, sunny day.
‘After the ceremony, we placed some of the flowers at Kirkby Avenue.’
After Carl’s death, his daughter Charlotte said: ‘Everything I do in my life, I do to make my Mum and Dad proud.
‘I want to carry on in my Dad’s footsteps and make sure that his legacy lives on forever.
‘He taught me everything I know, and my life will never be the same without him.’
Witnesses said the explosion was like a ‘bomb going off’.
Six fire engines rushed to the scene while nearby roads were closed and homes evacuated.
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