East Ruimveldt explosion: Victim dies after sustaining burns to 88% of body

A 56-year-old East Ruimveldt, Georgetown man who was critically injured following an early-morning explosion at his home on Sunday has succumbed to his injuries.
Dead is Troy Alleyne of Pineapple Street and Front Road, East Ruimveldt, who, according to his wife, Melissa Alleyne, died just after 10:00h on Tuesday while receiving treatment in the Burn Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital.
He had sustained severe burns to approximately 88 per cent of his body in the blast. The explosion occurred at about 02:32h on Sunday at the family’s two-storey building, causing extensive structural damage and leaving several persons, including tenants, displaced.

Reports indicate that Alleyne and his family were asleep when his wife awoke and detected the strong scent of gas inside the house. She alerted him, and he reportedly went downstairs to investigate. Moments later, an explosion rocked the building.
The force of the blast caused sections of the eastern side of the house to collapse and destroyed parts of the upper flat, including bedrooms. Debris fell onto the lower level, which was split into two apartments.
At the time of the incident, at least six adults and the couple’s young children, were in the building. Despite the intensity of the explosion, the other occupants managed to escape, with only minor injuries reported.
Alleyne was later found outside the building with severe burns about his body. Public-spirited citizens assisted in transporting him to the hospital, where he was admitted in critical condition.
Investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing. While initially a gas-related explosion was suspected, subsequent observations, according to Melissa Alleyne has raised questions. Reports indicate that the gas cylinders found at the scene appeared intact, and there were no signs of fire damage typically associated with such explosions.
The blast has left the family homeless and facing significant financial losses. The property, which also housed small business operations including a car wash and water system, was not insured.
Authorities are continuing their probe, with CCTV footage from the area expected to aid in determining the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
A series of gas cylinder explosions over the past year has resulted in multiple deaths, injuries, and extensive property damage across several communities.
Back in January last year, a deadly blast at Foulis, East Coast Demerara (ECD), claimed the lives of 55-year-old Basmattie Ganpat and her partner, Manu “Paul” Sukhu, while completely destroying their two-storey home. Their daughter had indicated that the couple detected the scent of gas prior to the explosion, even though the cylinder had reportedly been turned off. The force of the blast severely distorted the building’s structure, tore away parts of the roof, and left the family facing millions of dollars in losses.
Several other incidents followed in 2025. In August, Herstelling shop owner Jaiwantie Samaroo suffered third-degree burns after a gas cylinder exploded inside her place of business. Just months later, in November, an explosion at a Better Hope residence belonging to Necolece Alexander resulted in injuries and significant property damage.
Earlier, in September 2025, a woman identified as Harriet Ray lost her life following a suspected cylinder explosion at her C Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown home, while another relative was left seriously injured.
More recently, in December 2025, another explosion at Little Abary caused extensive damage to the home of Murtland Wills and Oneka Williams, with estimated repair costs exceeding $1.5 million.