Man dies, one injured in Oyugis gas explosion

The scene of the gas explosion in Oyugis town, on November 15, 2024. [James Omoro. Standard]

A middle-aged man has died and another sustained serious injuries in a gas explosion in Oyugis town, Rachuonyo South Sub-county, Homa Bay county.

Police are yet to establish the cause of the explosion at midnight on Friday.

Oyugis town location Chief Emily Owuor said the man was standing 20 meters from the scene of explosion before he was reportedly hit by a gas cylinder.

“The particles of the cylinder hit the man when he was standing about 20 meters from the shop. He died instantly,” Owuro said.

The body was removed to Rachuonyo South Sub-county Hospital Mortuary.

The injured man was was rushed to Matata Hospital.

The explosion reportedly occurred after fire broke out in a shop owned by a gas cylinder dealer.

The incident sent panic among residents.

.“It caused tension in the town and many people who had slept had to wake up to see what was going on. It was a shocking incident!” said Patrick Ogwago, a resident.

The fire destroyed property in the shop.

Residents pelted stones at a fire engine for arriving late at the scene prompting officers from Oyugis Police Station to intervene.

Home Bay County Police Commander Hassan Barua said they were investigating the cause of the fire.

“The cause of the fire has not been know but we are investigating it,” Barua said.