Man in East Ruimveldt explosion succumbs to injuries

The 56-year-old East Ruimveldt, Georgetown man who was injured during an alleged gas bottle explosion, which destroyed sections of his home, has died.

Troy Alleyne of Pineapple Street and Front Road, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, sustained severe burns to approximately 88 per cent of his body in the explosion, which occurred at about 02:32h on Sunday.

He remained hospitalised until the time of his death, this morning at around 10:00hrs, according to his wife, Melissa Alleyene.

The woman had explained that on the night before the explosion, the family had retired to bed, but when she awoke at around 02:32h on Sunday, she immediately detected a strong smell of gas.

Her husband went downstairs to investigate the source of the smell when the explosion occurred.

The explosion caused extensive structural damage to the two-storey building, with sections of the eastern side collapsing and parts of the upper flat, including bedrooms, destroyed. Debris from the collapse fell onto the lower level. At the time, at least six adults, including Venezuelan nationals, and two babies, including her two-year-old daughter, were in the building. Two apartments on the lower floor were being rented.

Despite the force of the blast, Melissa said that their two children, ages two and 10, and the other occupants managed to escape. One female tenant reportedly sustained minor injuries to her ankle.

While the explosion is suspected to be gas-related, the exact cause remains under investigation.