Advertisement

Vic gas explosion accused faces court

A man has been accused of endangering the lives of police and firefighters who were injured in a Melbourne gas bottle explosion.

Leon Firth, 40, is facing 17 charges after the explosion at a Middle Park flat injured five emergency services workers in January.

Sergeant Tony Scully, First Constable Emma Quick and Constable Varli Blake attended the Middle Park flat on the night of January 4 after reports a man was threatening self-harm.

As firefighters and police entered the flat via the balcony, a gas bottle exploded.

Firth was wearing black protective gloves during his brief appearance in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday.

He faces six counts of reckless conduct endangering life, six counts of reckless conduct endangering serious injury, four counts of recklessly causing serious injury and one count of recklessly causing injury.

Firth was arrested in Sale, about 200km east of Melbourne, in February.

He will next appear in court on August 7.

  • Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE(7263).