Fire extinguisher explosion kills Maun man

Bonte Seepi | Wednesday May 13, 2015 16:19

 

The deceased was a technician with Gaborone-based Fire Suppression & Electrical Systems. The man, who reportedly hails from Kgagodi village, is said to have been refilling a fire extinguisher that exploded and killed him instantly. The base and top part of the extinguisher apparently exploded as he was refilling one of the cylinders.

According to various sources, the deceased and his workmates were on a trip to maintain BTCL fire extinguishers across the country. The exploded cylinder was the last one to be refilled as the crew had already successfully done so with other eight canisters.

”That was the last cylinder we were refilling. We had already successfully filled eight for the offices and this one which exploded was for the BTCL motor vehicle,” said one source.

The man was reportedly filling the cylinder alone in the company car while his workmates were still inside the offices when the explosion happened. They were to proceed to Gantsi and Tsabong after Maun. Confirming the incident, assistant superintendent, Borefeletse Paphane said the cause of the explosion was not yet known, as the man was alone in the car when the accident occurred.  Police investigations into the accident are ongoing while the names of the deceased are being withheld until next of kin are officially informed.