Bongani Ndlovu
A 4,5kg gas cylinder explosion ripped off part of a house roof in Nkulumane suburb, Bulawayo, yesterday afternoon, damaging five roofing sheets.
Bulawayo Chief Fire Officer Mr Mhlangano Moyo said the incident occurred after a tenant, who was using gas because of a power outage, left the cylinder on top of the stove before going to town.
“The tenant left for town around 1100hrs and at around 1500hrs, neighbours heard a loud explosion,” he said.
Mr Moyo said the explosion damaged five roofing sheets, while some fragments of the cylinder were lodged in a refrigerator.
“Part of the cylinder fragments got stuck on the fridge,” he said.
The fire brigade attended the scene and placed a tarpaulin over the damaged section of the roof to protect the house.
“As I speak, the team has put a tarpaulin cover,” said Mr Moyo.
The cause of the explosion had not been established at the time of writing.
