By John Moses
A domestic gas explosion has claimed the lives of a family of three in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, casting a shadow over what was meant to be a joyful celebration.
The incident, which occurred on 30 May 2025 but only came to light on 14 June, happened as the family was preparing to celebrate the birthday of their youngest daughter. The young woman had recently been granted a visa and was preparing to travel abroad — a milestone that now tragically remains unfulfilled.
According to local reports, the explosion took place when the family attempted to accelerate their cooking process by using two liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders simultaneously within the same kitchen space. While attaching a burner to a smaller, auxiliary gas cylinder, the father inadvertently triggered a gas leak. The nearby flame from the main cooker ignited the escaping gas, resulting in a sudden and devastating blast.
The mother, who had just exited the bathroom at the time, was also caught in the explosion. Emergency services rushed the victims to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where the father succumbed to his injuries shortly after. The mother and daughter were admitted with severe burns but both later died during treatment, with the daughter passing away last Saturday.
Engr. John Perede Akpoyibo, a community leader and safety advocate, attributed the tragedy to unsafe kitchen practices, including the concurrent use of multiple gas cylinders in an enclosed space, the absence of ventilation, and the lack of safety equipment such as gas leak detectors or fire extinguishers.
“This heartrending incident demonstrates the grave risks associated with mishandling domestic gas appliances,” Akpoyibo said. “We must raise awareness, enforce safety regulations, and ensure that households are equipped with the knowledge and tools to prevent such disasters.”
He recommended that gas appliances be installed in well-ventilated areas, that homes be fitted with leak detection systems and fire safety tools, and that communities receive regular training on domestic gas safety and emergency response.
