Elderly man escapes death in gas blast

AN ELDERLY Dublin man escaped death after a gas explosion ripped through his city centre apartment yesterday.

Passersby were also fortunate in avoiding serious injury as the blast caused damage to a number of vehicles outside the building.

The accident occurred in a first-floor apartment at the Oliver Bond flat complex on Usher’s Quay.

The man, who is believed to be in his late 70s, was rushed to hospital where he is being treated for severe burn injuries and smoke inhalation.

However, his condition is believed to be comfortable and his injuries are not life-threatening.

Although technical experts are still examining the scene to determine the cause of the explosion, it is believed the accident resulted from a gas cooker being turned on but left unlit.

While the occupant of the flat was able to walk from the building, witnesses said his face and body were blackened by smoke.

Four units of the Dublin fire brigade and two ambulances rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised.

The area around the apartment was sealed off, while there was traffic disruption on the Liffey Quays for a period after the explosion.

A Bord Gáis spokesperson said there was no fault with the gas supply to the premises and claimed the explosion was not caused by “a technical gas-related matter”.

Inspector Kevin Gralton of Kevin Street Garda Station said it was “amazing” that no other people were injured.

Gardaí said they were reasonably satisfied the cause of the explosion was gas, although a formal investigation is continuing.