-faulty regulator seen as cause
By Khadidja Ba
A life-threatening gas explosion was narrowly avoided in a Better Hope home yesterday thanks to the quick thinking and calm actions of Necolese Alexander, a career ICU nurse.
The harrowing incident unfolded when Alexander, a re-migrant to Guyana, purchased a 20lb Massy gas cylinder from a local Chinese supermarket on the main road and returned home to reconnect it for cooking. Just minutes after starting to cook, a loud explosion shook the house, and flames erupted around her.
Speaking to SN at the scene of the explosion, Alexander described the terrifying moment: “I felt the flames all around me and heard the loud noise of the explosion. The heat from the fire was intense, and I could feel it on my back and behind my legs, I still feel some tingling on my skin. But I didn’t panic. I acted quickly.”
Alexander immediately rushed her three young grandchildren, all under the age of 10, out of the house. With her medical background, she knew every second counted. She quickly turned her attention to the source of the fire—the gas bottle—and took decisive action to mitigate the risk.
Alexander, who had recently bought a fire extinguisher after recognizing the potential hazards of gas cooking, ran for the extinguisher and managed to put out the flames.
“I knew I needed a fire extinguisher when I moved back to Guyana. I’d had one in the USA, and I knew it was essential for safety here too,” she explained to SN. “It’s so important for every household to have a fire extinguisher, and if possible, a smoke alarm as well.”
The explosion occurred when the regulator on the gas bottle malfunctioned based on the conclusion from a Massy Gas team which visited. The regulator on the cylinder was not Massy’s.
Yesterday morning, Alexander called the Massy Gas team to report the incident. After an unsuccessful attempt to reach them earlier in the day, she finally connected with them at 11 a.m. and waited for their team to arrive.
When Massy Gas technicians arrived later that afternoon, they determined the cause of the explosion was due to an improper regulator. Alexander’s newly purchased regulator, the team explained, was improperly designed, allowing the device to be detached even when the gas was still on. The correct regulator, Massy’s representatives emphasized, should always be used to ensure safety. The representatives also explained that the unregulated regulators bend the pin used to allow the gas to escape which is very dangerous.
“The rubber seal on the gas bottle was intact, and we did the soap liquid test to confirm there was no leak. It’s essential to always use the right equipment for safety”, the technician said.
The replacement of the faulty hose, clip, and official regulator from Massy cost Alexander a total of $3,600.
“I want to encourage everyone to check their gas equipment and ensure its properly regulated,” she urged. “This could have ended much worse if I didn’t act quickly, and I hope my experience serves as a reminder to others about the importance of having the right safety measures in place.”
Alexander also voiced concern about the lack of a 24/7 reporting system for Massy Gas. While she attempted to contact the company multiple times, it was only after several hours that she received a response. She hopes the company will improve their customer service response time in future emergencies.
