20211026 Gas-tank bonfire blows up, kills pair in Kampot
Cambodia Oct 26 2021 “Apartment houses” “Building”
Dead : dead 1 to 4 Burnout : 1 to 29 Injured : injured 1 to 9
Gas-tank bonfire blows up, kills pair in Kampot
Updated: 2021-10-26
Officials urged residents not burn old gas cylinders as they still contain gas and could explode when heated and endanger people’s lives. FACEBOOK
Officials urged residents not burn old gas cylinders as they still contain gas and could explode when heated and endanger people’s lives.
The call came after people tried to burn discarded gas cylinders, causing an explosion which resulted in the deaths of two car mechanics and seriously injuring another at a garage in Thmey commune’s Wat Por village of Kampot province’s Teuk Chhou district on October 22.
Prum Yorn, director of the Phnom Penh department of Fire Prevention, Extinguishing and Rescue, on October 25 reiterated the call, saying old gas cylinders could explode when exposed to extreme heat, which can be life-threatening and even ignite fires.
“Used gas containers still have some gas in them and it is flammable. So, do not burn the container as it can explode,” he said.
He also reminded gas and fuel business owners and shops that sell heat-generating equipment to be vigilant at all times and to prepare the most effective preventive measures in response to fires.
Meng Song, owner of World Gas Shop in the capital’s Sen Sok district, said on October 25 that his business is always very cautious when storing gas containers and ensured that measures are in place to prevent any fires.
Song said used gas tanks cannot be burned because they still contain some pressurised gas that could cause an explosion.
“If we burn it, it will explode. But if it is burned and we open the tank’s pressure valve, it is okay. If we close the valve, the pressure will cause an explosion,” he said.
Song said that in order to prevent an explosion, the gas tank must be stored properly, and the tank’s pressure valve must be checked every time a container is refilled.
The gas storage space must be ventilated and tanks should not be stored in a closed space as this presents a variety of risks such as gas leaks that can react with fire.
Web Source: The Phnom Penh Post
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/gas-tank-bonfire-blows-kills-pair-kampot