Five injured in gas explosion

FOUR workers and a customer suffered serious burns and were rushed to hospital after a gas tank exploded at a restaurant in the Bulawayo City Centre yesterday. The customer was badly cut by shards of glass as she tried to escape from the building. Witnesses said the explosion at Lucy Restaurant occurred around 9.30AM. A source identified the injured as Tichaona Katsande, Maria Ncube, Gertrude Ncube, Abigail Ngwenya and Chido Humbe. It could not be ascertained which of the five was the customer.

"There was a loud bang and suddenly we saw people running out of the shop. It was burning," said a trader who refused to be named. Traders at a nearby flea market called an ambulance and the Fire Brigade.

The shop owner's wife known as Majonga said Katsande negligently caused the explosion. "He switched on the gas tap and left it for some time. When he tried to light the stove, the room was already filled with gas and it exploded. Four people were injured only Katsande is critical. Some were treated and discharged," said Majonga.

She thanked the Fire Brigade and ambulance crews whom she said "arrived on time" and saved the situation. Majonga declined to divulge more details but witnesses said Katsande sustained burns on the arms, face and groin area.

The female victims sustained facial, arm and hair burns while the fifth had no visible injuries. Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer, Richard Petersen said:

"We got a call advising us of a fire at a restaurant. Five people were injured as a result of the fire. All the casualties were referred to Mpilo Hospital after stabilisation."

He said the cause of the fire was suspected to be a gas cylinder explosion and the value of the damaged goods was estimated to be $500. Petersen encouraged people to exercise caution when dealing with gas and other fuels to save life and property.