Gas Explosion Claims Lives of Couple and Their Daughter in Delta State
A tragic gas explosion has claimed the lives of a family of three in Warri, Delta State, underscoring the growing dangers associated with improper handling of domestic gas appliances in Nigerian households. The victims, identified as a father, his wife, and their daughter, died following the devastating incident that took place on May 30, 2025, in what has been described by neighbors and safety experts as a preventable accident.
The family had been preparing for their daughter’s birthday celebration and finalizing plans for an imminent relocation abroad when the catastrophic explosion struck their residence. The sudden tragedy has left the local community in deep mourning, sparking renewed calls for enhanced safety awareness and stricter adherence to gas handling protocols across Nigerian homes.
According to engineer John Perede Akpoyibo, who first reported the incident to local authorities and media, the tragedy unfolded as the family patriarch attempted to install a burner onto a small, portable gas cylinder. Unknown to him, a leak from the smaller cylinder had occurred, and the family was simultaneously using another cooker with an open flame nearby.
The combination of the gas leak and the existing flame proved to be fatal. The leaking gas quickly found the ignition source, sparking an intense explosion that engulfed the kitchen area in flames and sent shockwaves through the residential block.
Neighbors recount hearing a loud bang followed by screaming as the fire tore through the room. The father reportedly succumbed to his injuries at the scene, suffering fatal burns before medical assistance could arrive. The mother, who had just emerged from the bathroom moments before the explosion, suffered extensive burns and was rushed in critical condition to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). Despite the efforts of medical personnel, she passed away shortly thereafter.
The family’s daughter, recently granted a visa for overseas travel, also sustained severe burns during the explosion. She fought for her life for nearly two weeks but tragically died on June 14, 2025, at UBTH.
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In his assessment, Akpoyibo highlighted that the root cause of the explosion stemmed from using multiple gas cylinders in a confined space without proper precautions. He lamented that the absence of basic safety equipment, such as gas leak detectors and portable fire extinguishers, contributed to the fatal outcome.
“This unfortunate incident was entirely preventable,” Akpoyibo said. “Basic gas safety measures, such as installing leak detectors, ensuring proper ventilation, and extinguishing all flames before handling gas appliances, could have made all the difference.”
The use of multiple gas cylinders in cramped kitchens or residential spaces is a common practice in many Nigerian households, often driven by the need for convenience or inadequate infrastructure. However, experts have repeatedly warned that without appropriate safety standards and equipment, this practice poses serious risks.
The Warri community has been left devastated by the loss of the family, who were well-known and admired among neighbors. Local residents described them as friendly, hardworking, and excited about their upcoming journey abroad, which was meant to mark a new beginning for them.
“We are heartbroken,” said a family friend who spoke to reporters at the scene. “They had so many plans, and it is difficult to comprehend that a moment of oversight could lead to such irreversible loss.”
Vigils have been held in honor of the deceased, with residents lighting candles and offering prayers for the souls of the departed. Many have also used the tragic event as a moment of introspection about safety practices in their own homes.
The incident has reignited conversations around domestic gas safety in Nigeria. Experts, community leaders, and safety advocates are calling for urgent steps to be taken by both government agencies and private stakeholders to address widespread ignorance about gas safety.
Akpoyibo emphasized the need for targeted community education campaigns, distribution of affordable gas leak detectors, and the enforcement of building codes that mandate proper ventilation in kitchens and other cooking areas.
“We should not be losing families to incidents that are easily avoidable through education and proper equipment,” Akpoyibo insisted. “The government must play a stronger role in regulating gas usage in residential homes, while also empowering local councils to run safety sensitization programs.”
The tragedy in Warri is not an isolated case. Across Nigeria, gas explosions have become increasingly frequent, largely due to the growing reliance on gas for cooking amidst erratic electricity supply and rising kerosene costs. Unfortunately, many families remain unaware of best practices for handling liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, or they cannot afford the additional safety accessories that could prevent disasters.
The deaths of this Warri family serve as a somber reminder of the pressing need for increased vigilance regarding domestic gas use. While the loss of three promising lives casts a shadow over the community, it has also ignited an urgent discourse about improving home safety standards across Nigeria.
As Warri mourns, the hope remains that this tragedy will galvanize collective action to prevent similar incidents in the future, ensuring that no more families are shattered by preventable domestic disasters.