Gas Explosion Injures 16 In Ashaiman

A gas cylinder exploded at a food joint near the Opportunities Bank at Ashaiman Monday afternoon, causing severe injury to 16 people.

The victims, including a woman, were rushed to the Tema General Hospital where they are responding to treatment.

The incident occurred when one out of five gas cylinders being used at the food joint exploded while the caterers were preparing fried rice, commonly referred to as ‘check check’.

Narrating the incident to the Daily Graphic, the Station Officer of the Ashaiman Fire Station, Mr Joseph Bannerman, said about 2 p.m. yesterday a loud explosion occurred at the food joint near the bank.

According to him, wooden structures and shops nearby caught fire and started burning, a development which affected the wares of hawkers which had been displayed in the vicinity.

He said it took the Ashaiman Fire Station and the Tema Regional Fire Service over one hour to put out the fire.

Mr Bannerman said the explosion could be the result of the use of inferior cylinders, adding, “We shall investigate and take action accordingly.”

At the Tema General Hospital, officials confirmed that the victims were in critical condition and that some would be referred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

Eyewitnesses of the explosion described the conditions of the victims as “very serious”, as their entire skins had changed colour.

However, hospital authorities would not allow anybody to get close to the victims.