DUBAI : As the mystery surrounding the June 18 Mirdif blast continues, authorities are not ruling out the possibility that a methane gas build-up may have torn through the three-storey villa, severely injuring four teenage girls.
"There is the possibility of a methane gas build-up that led to this incident," said Major Ali Al Mutawa, Director of the Operations Room at Dubai Civil Defence.
The official said the earlier presumed cause - a cooking gas cylinder leak from the kitchen - was not enough to explain the extent of the damage. "Gas is light, and when it leaks, it goes from the ground up. In this Mirdif case, the damage started from the basement."
Neighbours said the septic tank under the basement was cemented over, including the vent, after neighbours complained of a foul odour emanating from it some years ago.
Methane is a highly combustible odourless and colourless gas formed by the decomposition of organic matter, such as human excrement.
This possibility has prompted the official to initiate a review of the incident report and re-visit the blast site along with the Dubai Police crime laboratory staff to establish the cause.
It has been nearly a week since the Friday night blast tore through the Mirdif villa, blowing out doors and windows. The four girls who are undergoing treatment at Rashid Hospital are expected to provide clues about the incident. While the girls sustained burns, there was no trace of fire inside the villa, which was in complete disarray.
On June 20, police said that no criminal charges would be lodged and the investigation into the blast was closed, describing it as an "accident".
Major Al Mutawa said their people who visited the villa found the two cooking gas cylinders intact and heavy with their contents. "It couldn't be propane gas," he said.
He said at least one resident in the same neighbourhood near the villa complained about the foul smell emanating from the septic tank after the incident.
