Housemaid suffers burns in Ras Al Khaimah gas cylinder blast caused by mouse

An Asian housemaid in her forties sustained serious burns and injuries in a gas cylinder explosion caused by a mouse that gnawed at the cylinder’s tube at a UAE family’s home in Asfi area, south of Ras Al Khaimah, last Friday.

According to Musbeh Mohammed Al Yaleili, a resident of the house located in the mountainous area, 96 kilometers south of Ras Al Khaimah City, divine providence saved the family members from the accident while they were at their late grandfather’s home in the same area, where they used to meet with their mother, as per their weekly custom on Fridays.

However, the family members are in pain, grieving for the housemaid and worried for her safety, given the seriousness of her condition, he said.

Al Yaleili pointed out that the house was exposed to a gas cylinder explosion in the kitchen by the time of call for Isha prayer, with flames escaping rapidly and causing significant material losses to the house, due to the leakage of gas from the pipe, which was gnawed by the mouse.

The family members heard the sound of the explosion while they were at the time at their grandfather’s house.

The strong explosion damaged numerous appliances, furniture, equipment and household items, while an air conditioner, refrigerator, food dishes and a plastic roof melted and fans and other items were destroyed, he said, urging people to ensure that all electrical connections are secure and that an air outlet is open before turning on the gas.

Born in 1983, the housemaid, who started working for the family about a month ago, is currently in critical condition at a public hospital. Upon her arrival, doctors estimated the extent of the burns on her body at 98 per cent, but after treatment, the extent decreased to 67 per cent, he said.

On behalf of the family, Al Yaleili expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to Ras Al Khaimah Police, Al Munai Police Station and Ras Al Khaimah Civil Defence, represented by the Kadra Centre, noting that specialists including fire experts arrived at the site at a remarkable speed that same night.