Western Sydney residents complained about the smell of gas in their neighbourhood ‘for years’ before deadly Whalan explosion

Residents of a community reeling after a townhouse explosion killed a trainee nurse say the neighborhood has smelled of gas for years.

The explosion occurred on the second floor of a seniors housing complex in Waikanda Crescent in Whalan, western Sydney, about 1pm on June 1.

The blast killed 30-year-old trainee nurse Mhey Yumol Jasmin, who was visiting her mother, Mercy, at the time of the explosion.

Her body was found two days later in what was believed to be the kitchen of her mother’s ward.

It has been revealed that tenants have complained to the Ministry of Housing about the smell of gas twice in the last 12 months, most recently in April.

The explosion killed 30-year-old trainee nurse Mhey Yumol Jasmin, who was visiting her mother, Mercy, at the time of the explosion

The department claims that in both cases, contractors were immediately sent to the home and repaired broken gas meters.

In November, a resident reported smelling gas while the supplier visited the home and repaired a broken meter.

Five months later, a tenant reported another gas smell and a maintenance company responded to an ‘urgent work order’.

Residents of Aitape Crescent, Whalan, just a few hundred meters from the destroyed mansion, said they were living in fear after the deadly blast.

Local woman Talia, who lives around the corner from the residential complex with her young family, explained that she has banned her toddler Lincoln from playing outside.

Talia explained that the gas smell is “bad” and is something she notices every time she walks outside her home.

Following the explosion, the concerned mother received a text message from NSW Housing asking locals to report gas leaks.

“It literally takes a house explosion before they can do anything about the gas leaks in the neighborhood,” Talia said. A current issue.

“It could be that it seems like no one cares about Mt Druitt because they all think everyone is a bum, but in reality not everyone is a bum.”

Talia (right), who lives with her young family just a few hundred meters from the mansion, was concerned that it would take a fatal explosion before action could be taken

Tanya (pictured), who also lives nearby with her family, described the gas smell as ‘sharp’ and had noticed it in the area for about six years.

Tanya, who also lives in the area with her family, described the gas smell as ‘sharp’ and had noticed it in the area for about six years.

Tanya has previously complained about the smell, but claimed the lack of response to residents’ concerns was ‘typical’.

“Typical housos here, so nothing gets done,” Tanya said.

Local resident and father Jake said he has smelled gas every day since he moved to the suburb nine months ago.

Jake added that his biggest concern was for the families living in the area and the children playing outside.

‘I definitely don’t want another house to be destroyed, especially with all the kids and stuff.

“They have kids, we have kids, kids who come over on the weekends and stuff… so something definitely needs to be done about that.”

NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson said it was “completely unacceptable” that residents were living in fear after the mansion explosion.

Ms Jackson said she was ‘deeply concerned’ when she heard residents had complained about the gas smell and has ordered Homes NSW to investigate the matter.

“I know that Homes NSW prioritizes the safety of its residents at all times and has arranged for the maintenance contractor … to investigate this as a matter of urgency,” Ms Jackson wrote in a statement.

‘The department is currently checking the maintenance logs for any history of this. Our priority is that this search is conducted thoroughly and we will have more to say in the coming days.”

Ms Jackson urged residents with maintenance requests, including those relating to gas, to immediately contact the maintenance line on 1800 422 322.

She added that temporary accommodation is being arranged for residents who need to move, with Homes NSW also developing a plan to move locals into long-term or permanent housing.

Relocation costs including packing, moving and unpacking will also be reimbursed, with residents also given the option to return once reconstruction is complete.

Whalan resident and father Jake (pictured) said his biggest concern was for the children who play outside every day accompanied by the smell of gas

Tenants of the residential complex had complained twice to the Ministry of Housing about the gas smell in the past twelve months prior to the explosion

Homes NSW said reports of gas being recorded through the maintenance line were being investigated and a contractor was on site on Tuesday to assess the matter.

“In the wake of the events at Whalan, we recognize that this is incredibly distressing for all residents,” Homes NSW said in a statement.

“We know that there have been shortcomings in the way maintenance has been handled in the past and it is our job to fix that, now and in the future. We are therefore reviewing the current system to ensure a better outcome for our residents. ‘

Homes NSW is currently compiling a summary of work applications made for social housing over the past five years.

Rescue efforts after the explosion were hampered by a gas leak, with investigators left to investigate whether a leak played a role in the explosion.

The massive explosion could be heard blocks away, shattering the glass of neighboring buildings. Five other people were rushed to hospital.

Another 12 people from surrounding homes were evacuated, with houses and apartment buildings damaged.

Police Commissioner Trent King said the majority of tenants involved in the explosion were under state care.

Ms Mhey’s distraught mother, Mercy, who had been keeping a vigil across the street and closely monitoring the search, told neighbors she had reported the smell of gas in the building and on the street in recent months .

Homes NSW said reports of the smell of gas recorded through the maintenance line were being investigated

Floral tributes are pictured at the site of the June 1 explosion in Western Sydney

Mercy had briefly left the building and when she returned, she found the building completely destroyed and her daughter missing.

Her daughter’s body was discovered in the kitchen after cranes were used to remove heavy concrete slabs.

Rescuers were then lifted into the house in a metal cage and used drills and cameras to look for voids and air pockets in the rubble.

Ms Mhey, who was training as a nurse, was discovered under the rubble by search teams.

Chief Inspector Darren Newman said officers broke the heartbreaking news to Ms Mhey’s mother shortly after emergency services made the tragic discovery.

“As you can imagine, mum is devastated,” Supt Newman said.

We will continue to support the family through our family network, and just make sure she is looked after as best we can.”