Two injured in East Java gas factory explosion

ID Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya

At least two people were injured when an explosion was followed by a huge fire at the PT Samator Gas factory in Driyorejo, Gresik early on Saturday.

A factory manager told The Jakarta Post the explosion and fire started at around 1:47 a.m. on Saturday morning, forcing hundreds of residents around the plant to evacuate.

"It sounded like a bomb. We got scared and ran out of the factory," said the manager, who wished to remain anonymous.

The manager said several blasts took place at the sixth production room, throwing gas canisters around.

Two trucks parked several meters away from the blast site were hit by flying gas tubes.

Mashub, 45, head of the filling department and Suhadah, 37, who was working close to the blast site, were injured. Mashub reportedly sustained burns to his hand and chest, while Suhadah suffered burns to both hands.

Residents in the Bambe area were forced to evacuate.

Bambe district head Mujiono said residents were traumatized by the explosion. Similar incidents had taken place in the past, one in 1982 and the other in 2000 he said.

In the two previous accidents, villagers suffered from the effects of severe gas pollution that caused chest pains.

In the afternoon as dozens of them staged a protest in front of the factory office demanding accountability from the company.

As many as 14 representatives from the village were received by the management.

Moh Ipin, a spokesman, said residents demanded the company move production away from the village.

"The underground acetylene gas pipes leading to PT Asahi Mas can explode at any time," he said.