Gas bottle explosion severely injures Kitty couple
-destroys bottom house
A Railway Line, Kitty couple is presently warded at the city public hospital after they sustained severe burns about their bodies during a gas bottle explosion at their home early yesterday morning.
Stabroek News understands that the incident occurred around 5.15 am at the bottom flat of the Lot 45 Railway Line, Kitty house, occupied by Meera Hemraj, 36 and her husband, Rabi Hemraj, 39.
Reports are that the couple had just awoken and was in the kitchen when a gas bottle exploded as Meera was about to light the gas stove.
Rabi reportedly sustained burns to his arms and legs while Meera was burnt to her upper body.
They were both taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they were treated and admitted to the Burn Care Unit, where they remained up to yesterday afternoon. Their conditions are listed as stable.
The incident has also left most of their bottom flat destroyed. When Stabroek News visited the scene, a number of persons were in the process of clearing up the area.
While sections of the concrete wall were still standing, almost every appliance was broken. Clothing and other belongings were also scattered on the ground.
This newspaper was informed that Latchman Samaroo, an occupant of the upper flat of the house, reportedly related to the police that he was sleeping when he was awoken by a loud explosion coming from the kitchen area of the lower flat. As a result, he said he rushed down to enquire what was happening when he saw the couple with injuries to their bodies.
The gas bottle that reportedly exploded was also in the vicinity, he added.
A resident, Lall (only name given), told this newspaper that he was one of the first to make it to the scene.