Husband, wife critical following gas bottle explosion at Foulis

– house also destroyed

By LaWanda McAllister

A gas bottle explosion on early Saturday morning has left an East Coast Demerara (ECD) couple critically injured and their home in complete ruins.
The explosion occurred around 5:30h on Saturday at Lot 194, Fifth Street Foulis, ECD occupied by 55-year-old Basmattie Ganpat, her common-law partner, 58-year-old Manu “Paul” Sukhu and their eight-year-old granddaughter who was unhurt.
The couple’s daughter, Sandyha Goolram who lives separately, described the shocking chain of events that unfolded.
“I was home sleeping because I am living on the first street, and the neighbour came knocking on my door early in the morning, woke me up and told me to come quick, that my mother’s house was on fire, and she was burned. They woke me up around 5:55h,” she said.
When she arrived, she found her stepfather already in the ambulance while her mother, badly burned, was being carried out of the house.

“When I came, I saw two fire reels and an ambulance… I went in the ambulance with them, and I asked them what happened and they told me that they were smelling gas earlier, even though the bottle was off. She went downstairs to cook, and when she lit the stove, the entire bottle exploded,” the daughter recounted.
The family’s two-storey wooden and concrete home was also partially destroyed due to the explosion with the kitchen and dining areas, located on the lower flat bearing the brunt of the blast.
“The walls of the lower flat were blown out, the roof and flooring of the upper flat were ripped off, and the entire house was twisted from the force of the explosion. The whole house and everything were destroyed. Even to all their appliances, bed, personal belongings everything,” the daughter explained. “We had to use wooden props to keep the house from collapsing further,” the daughter told the Guyana Times.

The family has lost everything. “It’s only been a year since they renovated the house. They bought new furniture, painted it, and decorated it for Christmas. Now, it’s all gone,” she added.
Doctors have described both Ganpat and Sukhu’s conditions as critical but stable. “They are responding and eating, but my mother is in especially bad shape,” the daughter revealed. “She was light-skinned, but now her skin is completely dark due to the burns. It’s heartbreaking.”
The family is also uncertain about where Ganpat and Sukhu will stay once discharged from the hospital. “The house is uninhabitable, we are trying to see what we can do, but there is only so much we can do. This has left us shaken, scared, and completely depressed. I feel like I am still in a dream, like this is all a dream. I can’t catch myself up to now,” the daughter admitted.
The woman also raised questions about the gas bottle, which was purchased from Massy (Guyana) Ltd. She told this publication that following the incident, a representative from the company visited the site on Saturday and reportedly claimed that the bottle was in perfect condition.
“That’s strange because my mother said she was smelling gas earlier, even though the bottle was off, but we are waiting to hear from the fire service to know exactly what went wrong,” she said.
Fire officials have launched an investigation. The family estimates that the damage is in the millions, with the house’s structural integrity severely compromised.
“They’ve lost everything—everything…”, the daughter said.
Recently, Massy Gas Products (Guyana) Ltd has been under increasing scrutiny following a series of gas cylinder incidents that have left several victims injured and caused extensive property damage. These incidents, which have occurred over the past few months, have sparked public concern and calls for greater accountability from the company.
In August, a gas cylinder explosion at Jaiwantie Samaroo’s grocery shop in Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD), resulted in third-degree burns for Samaroo and destroyed her business. In November, another explosion occurred at the Better Hope residence of Necolece Alexander, who narrowly avoided further disaster after a gas cylinder exploded while cooking. The explosion caused property damage and left Alexander with minor burns.
In December, the situation escalated when a woman named Abi Jaundoo reported a leaking Massy gas cylinder at her home. Despite contacting the company for assistance, she claimed the company’s initial response was dismissive, instructing her to return the hazardous bottle to the purchase location. Just days later, on December 7, a gas cylinder explosion at the home of Murtland Wills and Oneka Williams in Little Abary caused significant structural damage, including shattered windows and cracked walls. The estimated repair costs exceeded $1.5 million. Despite video evidence and inspection findings pointing to a defective cylinder, Massy representatives allegedly denied responsibility.
These incidents have left residents shaken and seeking answers about the safety of gas cylinders sold by Massy. In response to growing public concern, the company issued a statement emphasising its commitment to safety.
As an ISO-certified company, Massy claimed that it employs a robust system of automatic leak detection equipment, along with manual checks to ensure its products meet the highest safety standards. They also urged customers to conduct regular maintenance of their gas-related equipment, including inspecting cylinders, regulators, and hoses for damage. Massy stressed the importance of replacing old or damaged equipment with approved parts and following safety guidelines.
Massy also referenced an inspection of a gas cylinder in Tuschen, where the regulator was found to be over 15 years old and the connecting hose was burnt. The company noted that the gas cylinder itself remained intact, retaining more than 50 per cent of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), but the old regulator and damaged hose were identified as the source of the leak.
The growing number of incidents has raised concerns about the safety protocols surrounding LPG suppliers. Victims and concerned citizens are now demanding stricter regulations, improved customer support, and better safety measures. In response, Massy has launched a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness about the safe use of cooking gas and has encouraged customers to regularly inspect their equipment and contact the company for assistance if necessary.