An electric water heater in a residential flat near the Barrier Gate border checkpoint exploded on Friday morning, with glass from windows broken by the explosion injuring five passers-by in the street, the authorities said that day.
No one was in the flat when the water heater exploded.
According to statements by the Fire Services Bureau (CB) and the Public Security Police (PSP), the case occurred in a flat on the second floor of Block 1 of the Arco Iris residential estate located opposite the Barrier Gate checkpoint at around 10 a.m. on Friday.
All five passers-by sustained slight injuries, four of whom were taken to the public Conde de São Januário Hospital Centre for treatment, while one of them, a local man who sustained slight abrasions, declined to be taken to hospital.
The Fire Services Bureau said that the explosion was possibly due to mechanical failure.
The four injured who were taken to the public hospital comprised two males and two females, aged between 52 and 87.
The four comprised two local residents, a visitor from the mainland, and a non-resident worker from Vietnam.
Firefighters work outside Block 1 of the Arco Iris residential estate near the Barrier Gate checkpoint after the explosion on Friday morning. – Photo courtesy of TDM
Two police officers work outside the flat after a water heater there exploded on Friday morning. – Photo courtesy of TDM
