- A gas explosion in Oyugis, Homa Bay County, tragically claimed the life of one man and destroyed a bookshop, leaving the community in shock
- The victim, a newcomer to the area, was struck by a flying gas cylinder as he went outside to investigate the blast, dying instantly
- Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion, which is believed to have originated from a nearby barber shop
In the small town of Oyugis, Homa Bay County, tragedy struck late last night when a gas explosion claimed the life of one man and left a bookshop completely destroyed, causing immense damage and panic in the community.
The explosion, which rocked the quiet town, is believed to have originated from a nearby barber shop, but it was the unforeseen flight of a gas cylinder that would ultimately end a life and leave a trail of devastation.
According to Emily Owuor, the Oyugis Town Location Chief, the victim—whose identity remains unknown—was a newcomer to the area.
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“He must have been staying in one of the lodgings behind the shop. When the explosion happened, he rushed outside to see what was going on, only to be struck by a flying gas cylinder,” Owuor said, visibly shaken by the incident.
The impact of the cylinder was so severe that the man was killed instantly, collapsing at the scene with no chance for survival.
The Explosion
The explosion, which sounded like a thunderclap in the dead of night, was caused by a gas leak, though the exact source is still under investigation.
The blast quickly spread, engulfing the barber shop and its neighboring bookshop, which also contained a gas storage unit.
Witnesses described seeing flames shoot into the sky as the fire consumed everything in its path. The bookshop, filled with books and other materials, was reduced to ashes within minutes.
Locals, who had been used to the peaceful rhythms of their small town, were left in shock. “It all happened so fast,” one resident recalled.
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“I heard a loud bang, and the next thing we knew, the whole area was on fire. People were screaming, trying to run for safety.”
The fire quickly spread, destroying the bookshop entirely and threatening nearby structures. But the destruction didn’t end there.
The explosion’s force was so powerful that a gas cylinder was propelled from the epicenter of the blast, flying several meters into the air. It struck the unfortunate victim, causing his tragic death on the spot.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but by the time they arrived, it was clear that the damage had already been done.
The fire department from nearby Kisii County was quickly dispatched to the scene, but their efforts to contain the blaze were delayed.
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Owuor recounted that residents, frustrated by the lack of immediate help, began pelting the fire extinguisher truck with stones, demanding faster action.
“The residents were enraged by the delay, feeling like the damage had already been done. They were desperate for the fire to be put out, but tensions were high,” Owuor explained.
Despite the challenges, the fire was eventually brought under control.
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However, the damage to the bookshop and the surrounding area was substantial, and the grief-stricken residents of Oyugis are left grappling with the aftermath of the explosion and its tragic consequences.
Calls for Better Emergency Response
As investigations into the cause of the explosion continue, locals are calling for improvements in emergency response systems and better regulation of gas storage facilities.
“This is a wake-up call for the entire town,” one community leader said.
“We need better emergency services, more awareness on safety, and stricter enforcement of building codes, especially when it comes to gas storage near residential areas.”
The body of the victim was retrieved from the scene and taken to the Rachuonyo Level Four Hospital morgue for identification and post-mortem.
