Gas cylinder explosion kills 3 in Chachoengsao
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Three people were killed, six others seriously injured, and another is unaccounted for after an explosion yesterday at a shop selling hydrogen cylinders in Chachoengsao's Muang district.
The blast damaged some 18 shophouses and several vehicles that were parked nearby. A police investigation to determine the cause is ongoing although it is suspected that the explosion was caused by a partially-full cylinder being dropped while being moved from a customer’s truck.
The explosion occurred at 7.30am at the Sak Oxygen shop on Marupong Road near the old Chainam Sabsain Market, investigator Pol Lieutenant Phrompong Thepthabtim said.
The deceased were identified as shop owner Sak Thawornwong, 59, and customers Prathuang Boonree, 41, and Suradej Sawangarom, 30, both of whom were balloon sellers. Another unnamed man, captured in security camera footage helping the two customers and shopowner transport the cylinder, is unaccounted for. The six injured, several of whom required urgent surgery, are now in the intensive care unit at Putthasothorn Hospital.
Chachoengsao police chief Cherdchai Sekhanant said it was a horrible incident and expressed sorrow at the loss of life. He noted, however, that the death toll could have been even more grave if the faulty cylinder had exploded during a forthcoming temple fair.
With this in mind, he urged fair organisers and balloon sellers to check their equipment rigorously.
