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An actor who lived through the devastating New Ferry explosion has returned to the scene to endorse the area's regeneration – describing the community as "a phoenix rising from the ashes".
Christopher Lee-Power, 57, joined a recent tour of the second phase of housing redevelopment in New Ferry, led by Wirral Council in partnership with The Regenda Group and Homes England.
The actor, writer and inspirational speaker lived with his wife Pauline and their son Christopher in a Grade II-listed cottage in Port Sunlight Village, adjacent to the blast site.
Recalling the night of 25th March 2017, Mr Lee-Power said: "It was like a war zone; I thought it was a car bomb. It was horrific."
The explosion injured 81 people and destroyed homes and businesses across the area. It was later found to have been caused by Pascal Blasio in an insurance plot. Blasio was jailed in 2019 for fraud and recklessly endangering life, and died in prison earlier this year.
The Lee-Power family were unable to return to their Bebington Road home for two years while repairs took place. Mr Lee-Power said the ordeal "badly affected" his mental health and left him fearful it could happen again even after moving back.
After their son joined the RAF, he and Pauline paid off their mortgage and relocated to Oxton for a fresh start.
Speaking at the construction site tour, Mr Lee-Power said: "What I want to say is it's been a long time coming but the regeneration is important to me and my wife. I congratulate you on what I'm seeing.
"As a community, we are like a phoenix rising from the ashes. This is what we want to see – a community rising again."
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough MP Justin Madders was among those on the tour.
Mr Madders said: "Although I did not represent this area at the time of the explosion, it was moving to hear Christopher's account of what he and so many others went through.
"His story is a reminder of the resilience shown by the community over the past nine years. It's encouraging to see new affordable homes being built and New Ferry continuing its recovery."
