A jury in the inquest of a man who died in a house explosion has been unable to determine the cause of the blast because evidence was removed from the scene.
Brian Davies, 68, was killed in the explosion on 13 March 2023 at his home on Clydach Road, Morriston, Swansea.
Three others, including a 14-year-old boy living in the house next door, were taken to hospital.
A narrative conclusion was reached by the jury at Swansea Guildhall.
Coroner Aled Gruffydd apologised to the family that the cause of the explosion was not determined.
He said he recognised the concern from Mr Davies’ family that the “crucial answer” of how it occurred was hampered by a “lack of preserved material”.
The coroner will write to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and police in relation to the preservation of evidence for future investigations.
The inquest heard that much of the evidence “was compromised and incomplete” after being removed in the search for Mr Davies, who was found in the kitchen area of his demolished home after six hours.
Mr Davies’ family told the inquest they felt “let down” by the authorities over “major mistakes” in the subsequent investigation.
A gas boiler, cooker and meter were kept for examination by police, the jury heard, but tonnes of debris were taken to a recycling centre and disposed of.
Harry Lambert, representing Wales and West Utilities (WWU), said the police had “absolute” responsibility for the gathering of evidence at the scene.
The HSE principal gas engineer said it was “typical of a severe gas explosion” and that a leak in a gas main close to the house was “a viable cause for explosion”.
Stephen Critchlow added: “But I cannot rule out a gas leak existing within the house, that evidence has been lost.”
Richard Holder, from the letting agency, said the rented house had last been inspected five months before the explosion, but no issues with gas were noted.
The jury saw images of Mr Davies’ cooker that had been disconnected, and when questioned, Mr Holder confirmed the disconnection had not been organised by the agency.
The inquest heard Mr Davies died from injuries to his neck and chest.
During the inquest, next door neighbour Claire Bennett told the jury she had smelt gas in the vicinity for about a fortnight before the blast.
She was sitting in her living room when she heard a “massive bang” that sounded like a car had hit the corner of her house.
“Things went dark and I lost a couple of seconds and came to,” she said.
“The house was filled with debris and the ceiling and walls had fallen in.”
The inquest heard that Ms Bennett and her son Ethan had to have therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the blast.
Former postman Jonathan Roberts told the jury he heard the explosion as he drove past Mr Davies’ house.
The moment, caught on CCTV, was shown to the jury and smoke could be seen instantly as debris flew from the building.
Rob Long, chief operating officer for WWU, said: “Our thoughts also remain with others directly impacted by this incident and the wider Morriston community.”
Mr Davies’s family said they were “deeply saddened” by his loss and felt let down after key evidence was lost by the authorities.
They said hey wanted answers about the circumstances of the “catastrophic tragedy” and would “never have closure”.
However, the family added they welcomed the coroner’s report to help ensure “no other family will have to endure the heartache we have gone through”.
