Woman, 13-year-old critical after gas explosion

A 36-year-old mother of four and her 13-year-old nephew are in critical condition following a gas explosion at their home and small business in C Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, early Friday morning.

Reports from relatives indicate that Harriet Ray had purchased a gas cylinder on Thursday evening for use at her Lot 122 C Field shop, where she sells snacks and beverages. Around 18:30h on Friday, while opening the shop, she attempted to check the gas bottle when an explosion occurred.
The blast lifted sections of the roof and set parts of the counter and nearby items on fire. Although the flames did not spread widely, both Ray and Jadon Gerard, her nephew, suffered severe burns across their bodies.
Eyewitnesses said the victims’ clothes were burned away, and neighbours rushed to douse them with water from a nearby drum before emergency responders arrived. At the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), medical staff confirmed that the victims were wrapped in bandages from head to toe, with peeling skin and extensive third-degree burns. They remain in a critical condition.
In a statement issued later, Massy Gas Products Guyana Ltd, the gas company responsible for distribution, expressed concern about the incident and extended sympathies to the injured family. The company said it has launched an internal investigation and is cooperating with fire officials to determine the cause of the explosion. “Safety remains our top priority. All our cylinders are subject to strict inspections before distribution, and we are working closely with authorities to ensure that the public can have confidence in the safety of their supply.” the release noted. The company also reminded customers to conduct regular safety checks when using gas cylinders and urged persons to report any suspected leaks or irregularities immediately.
Meanwhile, fire officials are continuing their probe at the Sophia home to determine exactly how the explosion occurred.

Recurring incidents
In January of this 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 December, 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.
These recurring incidents have sparked public concern over the safety of gas cylinders in circulation.
Massy, one of the suppliers of domestic cooking gas nationwide, has consistently defended its safety standards, stating that its cylinders undergo both automatic leak detection and manual inspections before being refilled and distributed. The company has also pointed to cases where faulty regulators and hoses, some over 15 years old, were the cause of leaks rather than the cylinders themselves.