Muscat – Eight people were injured in a gas cylinder explosion in a restaurant in Seeb, according to the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA).

A statement issued by the authority said, ‘Rescue and ambulance teams in the Governorate of Muscat were called to deal with a cooking gas cylinder explosion in a restaurant in the wilayat of Seeb. As a result of the explosion, eight people were moderately injured.’

CDAA provided emergency medical care to the injured, and later transferred them to a hospital.
It called upon all to comply with the safety rules and regulations while using and storing gas cylinders.
According to CDAA’s emergency handbook, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders must only be purchased from authorised dealers, and must always be stored upright, never horizontally.

‘Keep the gas cylinder at least 1m away from open flames, heat sources and electrical outlets,’ the authority’s handbook instructs.

‘Ensure that there are no naked flames nearby when changing the gas cylinder. Store no more than one spare cylinder at any time, and the spare should be kept upright in a ventilated cabinet.

‘Keep windows open and the kitchen well ventilated while cooking; never leave cooking unattended or place inflammable items near the flame,’ the handbook lists among other instructions.

‘Turn off the gas supply from the regulator before leaving home. Check all gas connections regularly for leakage. There is leakage if bubbles appear when detergent or soap solution is applied on the gas hose. Replace gas hoses every two years and gas regulators every five years.’