Gas explosion in Ćmińsk near Kielce leaves 83-year-old trapped under collapsed building

In brief

• A gas cylinder exploded in an outbuilding in Ćmińsk near Kielce on 12 November.
• The blast collapsed two walls and trapped an 83-year-old property owner.
• Firefighters, sending seven to nine units, pulled him out alive with facial and hand burns.
• The cause of the explosion is under investigation.

Explosion and collapse

A gas cylinder exploded in an outbuilding in Ćmińsk, a village in the Miedziana Góra commune of Kielce county, shortly before 10:30 on Thursday, 12 November. The blast brought down two walls of the structure, and the property's 83-year-old owner was caught beneath the rubble (Wybuch gazu w Ćmińsku. Runęły ściany budynku, ranny mężczyzna. W akcji 9 zastępów strażackich – Echo Dnia) (Potężny wybuch w Ćmińsku. 83-latek trafił pod gruzami budynku – Fakt) (Wybuch gazu w Ćmińsku. Runęły ścinany budynku, ranny mężczyzna. W akcji 7 zastępów strażackich – msn.com).

Rescue operation

Emergency services received the call around 10:30. Firefighters from the Świętokrzyskie region sent between seven and nine units to the scene, according to varying reports from the regional fire service (Wybuch gazu w Ćmińsku. Pod gruzami był mężczyzna – RMF24). Rescuers reached the man while he was still conscious and could speak with them. They worked to clear the debris from above him before lifting him out (Eksplozja butli z gazem w Ćmińsku. Strażacy uratowali mężczyznę uwięzionego pod gruzami – starachowice.eska.pl).

Injuries

The man was conscious when handed over to medics. He suffered burns to his face and hands, the regional fire service spokesman said, and was taken to hospital.

Cause under investigation

Firefighters said the circumstances of the explosion would be examined. Early reports point to a gas cylinder as the source of the blast, but the cause has not been confirmed.