Father, son suffer burns in gas explosion in Miri home

SIBU (Nov 20): A 39-year-old man and his 12-year-old son suffered burns after a gas explosion in their single-storey house at Lorong Permai Timur 9 in Taman Permai here today.

The father had earlier brought his son home from school and was believed to have switched on a wall plug when the explosion occurred, which damaged the kitchen and a washing machine.

Neighbours rushed to their help with fire extinguishers before sending the father-son to the Sibu Hospital.

Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba), in a statement, said the distress call was received around 1.15am before sending a team of firefighters from Sungai Merah fire station to the scene about 13 km away.

“There was a leak in the gas cylinder which caused the explosion,” Bomba said, adding that the fire had been extinguished by neighbours before their arrival.

After ensuring the situation was safe, firefighters wrapped up the operation at 2.50pm.