A heart-wrenching tragedy has rocked the oil-rich city of Warri, Delta State, following a fatal domestic gas explosion that has claimed the lives of an entire family of three.
The devastating incident, which occurred on May 30, 2025, came to a grim conclusion on June 14 when the last surviving member, an unidentified ambitious young girl set to travel abroad, succumbed to her injuries.
The family had been preparing to celebrate her birthday and bid her farewell ahead of her planned trip overseas.
Instead, a tragic sequence of preventable errors in gas handling turned their home into a death trap.
According to an official safety incident report submitted by Engr. John Perede Akpoyibo, a respected safety advocate and community development leader, the explosion occurred during cooking activities when the father attempted to connect a burner to a smaller LPG gas cylinder while another was already in use in the same kitchen.
The gas leak that followed came into contact with an open flame, sparking an instantaneous explosion that engulfed the kitchen and nearby areas in flames.
The father died shortly after the blast from fatal injuries. The mother, who was exiting the bathroom at the time, sustained severe burns and was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where she later died during treatment.
Their daughter, who suffered first-degree burns, battled for two weeks in intensive care before tragically passing away on June 14.
A Series of Avoidable Mistakes
The incident has raised serious concerns about domestic gas safety awareness in Nigeria.
According to the findings outlined in the report, the explosion was caused by:
Simultaneous use of multiple LPG gas cylinders in a confined kitchen space
Improper installation of a burner while an open flame was active
Absence of ventilation, fire suppression equipment, or gas leak detectors
“A Preventable Loss of Lives”
Engr. Akpoyibo lamented the devastating outcome, stating that the tragedy was entirely avoidable.
He called for urgent community education, tighter safety regulations, and public awareness on handling gas appliances.
“This is a preventable loss of lives. The domestic use of LPG must be accompanied by proper safety practices.
“Every home should be equipped with basic firefighting tools and trained on how to handle gas emergencies,” he said.
Safety Recommendations Issued
The report emphasized six core safety lessons to prevent a recurrence:
1. Never install or connect gas burners near active flames.
2. Avoid using multiple cylinders in enclosed spaces.
3. Ensure kitchens are well-ventilated.
4. Install gas leak detectors and smoke alarms at home.
5. Keep fire extinguishers within easy reach.
6. Conduct regular checks on gas cylinders, hoses, and valves.
Time for Action, Not Tears
This incident is a sobering reminder of the silent dangers that lurk in the average Nigerian kitchen.
With rising LPG usage across the country, experts are calling on government agencies, local authorities, and the general public to enforce and adhere to best practices in domestic gas safety.
The lives of this promising young girl and her parents are now part of a tragic statistic.
Let their story be a wake-up call, one that inspires action, accountability, and awareness before another home is reduced to ashes.
