The prosecution spoke this morning regarding the gas explosion which blew up two homes in Blegny. Among the tracks mentioned, that of a suicide attempt with gas.
Cédric, 33, the tenant of one of the two miraculously destroyed houses spared by the explosion was going through a difficult period. His partner had just left him for the second time. The day before the explosion, she went to file a complaint with the police to report the emotional blackmail of her ex-companion, who threatened to commit suicide.
Is Cédric moving from words to deeds? This is not the thesis favored by the prosecution for the moment. “We heard the gentleman at length yesterday, who formally denied having had any intention of committing suicide. He states that at 5 a.m., when he was cold, he wanted to light his stove, and at some point, he saw a ball of fire”, indicates Catherine Collignon, first deputy prosecutor of the king of Liège.
In a day or two, when the rubble has been cleared, an expert can analyze the gas stoves and check if one of them was indeed defective. If this is not the case, Cédric risks prosecution.
“There is an article in the penal code which says that if the person sets the fire knowing very well that he might communicate it to other dwellings incurs criminal liability”, adds Catherine Collignon.
In addition to criminal proceedings, in the event of a suicide attempt, it would also be necessary to assume the damage already estimated at around one million euros.
