Abu Dhabi/Ras Al Khaimah Police and civil defence authorities are intensifying a campaign on the safety of gas cylinders after an explosion injured three Asians in a fire at a food store in Bani Yas on Tuesday.
"The operation room at the Civil Defence in Abu Dhabi received a report at 12.20pm about an explosion. A firefighting team and ambulances from Bani Yas East centre and another engine from Kahlifa B city centre were immediately dispatched to the scene," said First Lt Abdullah Al Tamimi, head of customer service at the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence.
"A gas cylinder in the store exploded, causing the fire. The victims sustained moderate burns and were rushed to Al Mafraq hospital for treatment," he added. Al Tamimi called on people to be cautious about handling and storing gas cylinders.
Storage
"Gas cylinders are dangerous when not stored properly. They can lead to disasters, especially in summer. There have been multiple accidents this year caused by gas cylinders that were improperly stored. They were not well closed and were stored uncovered in restaurants," Al Tamimi said.
He added the Civil Defence was making every effort to foster awareness among people on preventive measures that should be taken to avoid fires.
In an inspection campaign in Al Tobeen street in Ras Al Khaimah, the police found 23 gas cylinders of different sizes improperly packed and being transported in a mini van.
The cylinders were covered with boxes in an attempt to hide them. The police confiscated the cylinders and turned them over to the Civil Defence.
"A member of the inspection team in Al Tobeen area called the operation room informing about the cylinders found in a van that carries [a] Fujairah number plate. B.A., who works in a restaurant, was driving the van. The back seats were removed to make room for the cylinders, which were stored haphazardly and without any restraints," said Lt Col. Abdullah Hanhoun, director of the industrial protection division at the Ras Al Khaimah Civil Defence.
The driver received two violations, one for driving a vehicle lacking safety equipment and the second for loading a light vehicle in a way that endangered others.
