Explosion at Sibu Jaya flats, walls blown off, dozen hurt

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Firemen going through the rubble near Block E.

SIBU: A ‘gas explosion’ rocked a four-storey flat in Sibu Jaya at 2.48am yesterday, causing a ceiling to collapse and blowing out six walls on two floors which left over a dozen residents injured, one seriously.

The explosion occurred in a corner unit on the ground floor of Block E. It was so strong that a deep crack opened across the building, with walls and debris blown more than 10 metres away.

A mother and baby also had a miraculous escape from the first floor when they fell through a ceiling which gave way, but saved with a soft landing on laundry below. Both police and the Bomba suspect a gas leak had set off the explosion but both departments said they had to re-confirm the cause.

Both have sent in their forensic experts. The Bomba sent in three and the police have a few arriving from Kuching.

But the question now is if Block E, which houses some 80 families, is still save for occupation.

The explosion occurred when house owner S’ng Guan Hock had just returned from hospital after his daughter complained of an insect inside her ear.

Miraculous escape for the mother in confinement Fatrica Lenya Petrus and her husband Eddy Gon with their 21-day infant who fell through the first floor into a laundry basket.

Residents: Loud explosion was accompanied with a tremor that felt like an earthquake

While his two sleepy children stayed in the car outside their unit, the 51-year-old man went in to open the front door. When S’ng switched on a light, the explosion went off.

Residents said the loud explosion was accompanied with a tremor that felt like an earthquake. Then, all fell quiet.

S’ng, who suffered 52 per cent burns to his body, was rushed to hospital, where at press-time, an operation was being arranged.

S’ng’s children inside their car were “buried” in the debris.

He later said from his hospital bed that when he entered his house, he had smelt gas.

The seriously injured man has just bought the flat unit half a year ago. His family recently moved in from Bintulu.

His wife and another child were not in town yesterday. They were in Bintulu handling matters relating to their house there.

When the explosion occurred, the ceiling of S’ng’s unit partially gave way, leading to the lucky escape for the mother and child.

It was a close shave for the 19-year-year-old mother in confinement and her 21-day-old infant who fell into S’ng’s unit from a floor above.

Defying great odds, the infant fell into a basket of clothes with his mattress. The mother, Fatrica Lenya Petrus, groped in the dark and dust and found her infant. Both were saved and taken to the hospital.

The infant escaped unscathed while his teenage mother suffered minor cuts and bruises.

Fatrica has just moved in with her infant to stay with her parents because of her confinement.

Apart from the four, three other sisters and cousins also staying with them suffered cuts and bruises.

The explosion has affected 80 families of the affected Block E that is divided into Wings A and B.

Multiple cracks have appeared on the building, and the Housing Board Corporation, the organisation behind Sibu Jaya development, are sending in experts to determine if Block E is still fit for occupation.

Some survivors are worried they would become homeless on seeing the cracks.

The authorities have sealed off the block as forensic and experts entered to probe and check.

At press-time, the Welfare Department is arranging for the 80 families to be put up in Sibu Jaya community hall. More aid will arrive after water was sent for use in the morning for the survivors.

Some 75 families have registered with the police. The Welfare Department will give out aid based on this registration list.

Meanwhile, S’ng’s wife and child have rushed back from Bintulu. The wife was shocked, saying her husband used to be careful in avoiding home accidents.

At the scene to coordinate aid was political secretary to the chief minister Pau Kiew Chuan, who is also a UPP member. He said they were concerned with the welfare of the survivors.

When contacted yesterday afternoon, Pau was arranging S’ng’s wife for registration. He also stayed at the scene to help with the needs of the survivors.

Dudong assemblyman Yap Hoi Liong was in Bintulu when the explosion occurred. He also rushed back, and with Lanang MP Alice Lau in tow, visited S’ng at the hospital and also the scene.

Civil Defence personnel were also there yesterday to help manage the crisis. At press-time, they were on stand-by to help the survivors with shelter at the community hall.

The explosion blew off the wall of S’ng’s bedroom on the ground floor of Block E.