A 53-year-old man was yesterday charged with causing two deaths in an explosion at a Southampton apartment block one year ago today.

Robert Tota was charged in Magistrates’ Court with unlawfully killing Jove and Oscar Mascarinas on the evening of May 2, 2022.

Mr Tota was not required to enter a plea because the matter must be heard by the Supreme Court.

Cindy Clarke, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said that the charges related to allegations of gross negligence and that it was alleged that Mr Tota was responsible for installing a gas stove at Hilltop Court.

Mr Tota was released on $8,000 bail with a like surety and is expected to appear in the Supreme Court on June 1.

Five people were taken to hospital after the explosion, which extensively damaged the apartment block.

Mr Mascarinas, 49, was seriously injured and later pronounced dead at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

Mrs Mascarinas, his 50-year-old wife, was critically injured in the blast and was pronounced dead eight days later.

Mr Mascarinas was a popular, longstanding member of staff at Aberfeldy Nurseries in Paget and active with the Radnor Road Christian Fellowship, while Mrs Mascarinas’ work included child minding.

A memorial plaque was fixed at a nearby spot on the Railway Trail to recognise those who lost their lives or were directly affected by the explosion.

• It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding criminal court cases. This is to prevent any statements being published that may jeopardise the outcome of that case.