Gas cylinder explodes in Sharjah

Sharjah: More than 10 shops and 15 vehicles were gutted Saturday in the early hours of the morning due to a gas cylinder explosion, police confirmed.

No deaths or casualties were reported. The incident happened at around 2.30am at a cafeteria that sells shawarma in Juma'a Al Mutawa building on Al Wahda Street.

The huge impact of the gas explosion caused severe damage to nearby shops, including Pierre Cardin, Way Inn supermarket and Al Sayyad Restaurant, in addition to a car park near the cafeteria.

Policemen and a team of Civil Defence units blocked off the road and area in order to prevent any further damage.

Negligence

An official from Sharjah Police said the accident occurred due to the negligence of the restaurant workers who are currently being questioned about the explosion.

The Operations Control Room at Sharjah Police said it received a call informing them about the explosion. A number of Anjad patrols and officers from the Criminal Investigation Department were dispatched to the site.

"The explosion was caused due to a leakage from a large gas cylinder, which was not shut completely by the worker who left the cafeteria after midnight," said the police official.

According to a preliminary report by the Forensic Laboratory at Sharjah Police, the large number of electrical appliances, including refrigerators and air conditioning units, caused the flammable gas to spread to nearby shops.

"We urge members of the public and restaurant owners to ensure the safety of gas cylinders and keep them away from direct sources of fire and electrical wiring," the police official added.