TRAGIC GAS EXPLOSION KILLS ENTIRE FAMILY IN WARRI AHEAD OF DAUGHTER’S BIRTHDAY, TRAVEL PLANS

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Agency report

A devastating gas explosion has claimed the lives of an entire family in Warri, Delta State, following a domestic accident that occurred on May 30, 2025.

The incident, which was officially reported on June 14 by safety advocate Engr. John Perede Akpoyibo, underscores the dangers of improper use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in home settings.

According to the report, the explosion happened while the family was preparing for the birthday of their last daughter, who had also recently secured a visa and was set to travel abroad.

In an attempt to speed up cooking, the father introduced a second mini gas cylinder into the kitchen, alongside an already active standard LPG cooker.

While installing a burner on the smaller cylinder, a sudden gas leak occurred. The nearby flame from the larger cooker ignited the leaking gas, triggering a violent explosion that engulfed the kitchen and surrounding areas.

The mother, who had just exited the bathroom, was also caught in the blast.

The father died shortly after the explosion due to fatal injuries. The mother and daughter, both critically injured, were rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where they later died — the mother during treatment and the daughter on June 14 after weeks in intensive care.

Root cause analysis points to the use of multiple gas cylinders in an enclosed space, lack of proper ventilation, and the absence of safety equipment such as gas leak detectors and fire extinguishers.

Engr. Akpoyibo emphasized that the incident highlights the urgent need for public education on domestic gas safety. He recommended several measures, including: