East Ruimveldt man critical after gas cylinder explosion destroys home

A 56-year-old man is in critical condition following a suspected gas cylinder explosion in the wee hours of Sunday, which has destroyed sections of his East Ruimveldt, Georgetown home.
Troy Alleyne of Pineapple Street and Front Road, East Ruimveldt, sustained severe burns on his body following the explosion, which occurred at about 02:32h.
He is currently a patient at the Georgetown

Public Hospital Corporation, where he has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
According to police, Alleyne and his family were at home when his wife woke up and detected a strong smell consistent with gas. She alerted him, and he subsequently went to check the premises, including the yard area where a 100-pound gas cylinder was installed.
Police said that about two minutes later, a loud explosion was heard, followed by screams. The eastern side of the building reportedly collapsed and caught fire as a result of the blast.
The force of the blast caused significant damage to the structure, with sections of the house collapsing and other parts left severely compromised. Areas of the upper floor, including bedrooms, were destroyed, while debris from the collapse fell onto the lower level.
Despite the extent of the damage, Alleyne’s wife and two children, along with their tenants, who were in the house at the time, escaped without injury. According to family members, there were two apartments on the bottom flat of the building that were rented to Spanish nationals.
Public-spirited citizens responded after hearing the explosion and assisted the family in distress. They also rushed the injured man to the hospital, but not before contacting the Guyana Fire Service (GFS). The blaze was subsequently extinguished.
Police said the scene was processed, and CCTV cameras in the area were identified and are expected to be reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation. Investigations are continuing.
When Guyana Times visited the home on Sunday, family members said that the injured man received about 80 to 90% burns on his body and is currently “battling for his life.” They also revealed that the family has lost millions and is currently displaced.
The East Ruimveldt explosion comes amid continued concern over household gas-related fires and explosions in Guyana.
In January of last year, a gas bottle explosion at Foulis, East Coast Demerara (ECD), claimed the lives of 55-year-old Basmattie Ganpat and her partner, Manu “Paul” Sukhu, and destroyed their two-storey home.
Their daughter reported that the couple had smelled gas before the blast, despite the cylinder being switched off. The explosion twisted the structure of the house, ripped off sections of the roof, and left the family with millions in losses.
That case followed several others in 2023. In August, Herstelling shop owner Jaiwantie Samaroo sustained third-degree burns when a cylinder exploded in her business. In November, a cylinder exploded at the Better Hope home of Necolece Alexander, causing property damage and burns.
In September 2025, a woman identified as Harriet Ray died following a suspected gas cylinder explosion at her home in C Field, Sophia, while another relative sustained serious injury. That incident was linked to a possible gas leak or faulty regulator and renewed public concern over the safe handling of household LPG cylinders in densely populated areas.
In December 2025, a leaking cylinder reported by Abi Jaundoo highlighted concerns about customer service and response protocols. Days later, another explosion at Little Abary severely damaged the home of Murtland Wills and Oneka Williams, with repair costs estimated at over $1.5 million.