JAKARTA: (Bernama) A powerful explosion ripped through a commercial complex in Surabaya, East Java, on Tuesday (Oct 6), injuring five people and damaging about 41 properties, with authorities investigating a suspected gas leak.
Surabaya Metropolitan Police Chief Kombes Pol Luthfie Sulistiawan said the blast occurred at about 7am at Nasi Tempong Sri Dewi restaurant in the San Antonio commercial complex in Pakuwon City, Mulyorejo.
The explosion occurred as kitchen staff were preparing food, with initial accounts indicating that the cook had detected the smell of gas shortly before the blast, he told reporters at the scene, according to a video uploaded on social media by local media.
"At this stage, we suspect there was a leak from the piping,” he said, adding that three 50-kilogramme liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders found at the premises were empty, indicating that the gas had escaped.
Luthfie ruled out indications that the blast was caused by explosives, saying a bomb disposal team found no traces of explosive material.
Police were continuing to examine the scene to determine the exact source of the suspected leak.
Luthfie said the force of the explosion damaged about 41 properties around the scene, mostly involving shattered glass. Five houses located behind the commercial complex were also heavily damaged.
The five injured -- four men and one woman -- were then taken to nearby hospitals, he said. - Bernama
