7 October, Vitebsk /Sergey Kochetov - BELTA/. A pensioner was injured in a domestic gas explosion in a private building in Miory District, the propaganda and training centre at the Vitebsk Regional Emergency Situations Department informed a BELTA correspondent. The incident occurred in the village of Sloboda. The local resident sustained minor burns to both hands (2%) and refused hospitalisation after receiving first aid on site. As a result of the explosion, which was not accompanied by combustion, three window openings in the kitchen of the residential building were partially damaged. It was established that the incident was caused by a violation of the rules for operating gas appliances. The man replaced the gas cylinder himself, without ensuring that the valve on it was closed, which led to a gas leak. At that time, a stove was being heated in the room, and the explosion occurred as a result of the contact between the gas and an open flame. Emergency Situations Ministry employees remind that gas leaks are the main cause of fires from domestic gas appliances. Leaks most often occur due to a breach in the tightness of pipelines, connecting nodes, and through the burners of gas stoves. To prevent possible emergencies and negative consequences, all manipulations with gas equipment must be carried out exclusively with the participation of gas service specialists. -0-

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