Residents contacted authorities about the smell of gas just weeks before a fatal blast that killed a student nurse in Sydney, it has been revealed.
Jasmin Mhey, 30, was the only person unaccounted for after the housing commission property at Waikanda Cres in Whalan was levelled by a suspected gas explosion on Saturday afternoon.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Jasmin Mhey remembered by loves ones following Whalan explosion death.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
Her body was recovered in the kitchen area of the home about 2.20am on Monday after machinery was called in to help lift heavy debris, including a large concrete slab.
Emergency workers will continue to clear the rubble over coming days as they investigate the cause of the blast, including whether a gas leak played a role.
Residents were so worried about the smell of gas they contacted the Department of Housing twice in the past 12 months, with the most recent complaint made in April.
The department claims on both occasions contractors were sent out immediately and the issues were resolved.
“I am deeply concerned to hear of accounts from residents who reportedly raised the issue of the smell of gas within the last 12 months,” Housing Minister Rose Jackson said.
Jackson said she has instructed Homes NSW to investigate the matter urgently, with the department checking maintenance logs.
NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell previously noted there had been a leak at the site after the explosion, which hampered rescue efforts.
Mhey’s family thanked police, firefighters and paramedics involved in the search.
“We would like to thank all of the emergency services personnel for their tireless efforts over the past few days,” they said in a statement on Monday.
“The family is so appreciative of their support, kindness and assistance.”
Choking back tears, Detective Superintendent Darren Newman said the victim’s mother was devastated by the loss and police had been working with her since the collapse.
“Obviously we had to deliver a death message this morning,” he said, describing the incident as difficult and confronting for emergency workers.
“We just do the best we possibly can.”
Five other people were hospitalised after the explosion, which was felt across several suburbs in the city’s west.
Police Superintendent Trent King said the majority of the people who were rescued were under the care of state housing.
Premier Chris Minns described the state of social housing across the state as a “real concern”.
Fewtrell said Mhey’s body had been found in the kitchen area of the home.
“We had information to indicate at the start of the incident that the young lady was in the apartment and from that point on it was a matter of trying to make sure we fully explored every part of the apartment and try to locate her,” he said.
Urban search and rescue experts discovered her body after using equipment to prop up a large, dangerously perched first-floor concrete slab. A crane lifted rescue crew members in a cage so they could sweep debris from above.
Using special drills, technicians made holes in large toppled concrete slabs and inserted cameras to look for voids and air pockets.
The slabs were removed by crane giving searchers access under the rubble where they discovered Mhey’s body.
– With AAP