Imagine having breakfast on a chill morning when an explosion suddenly occurs, causing damage to the surroundings. That was what customers at the Ng Yam Huat Food Court in Taman Ciku, Bukit Mertajam, experienced recently.
According to reports, the explosion happened around 8.30am on Sunday (27th October 2024). The blast occurred in the kitchen area at the rear of the food court, damaging several parts of the premise, including the zinc roofing and a section of the kitchen wall. The explosion also caused damage to several of the stalls, shattering the glass panels. The cause of the blast was said to be a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) leak.
The food court owner, Ng Chin Kui, said he was preparing to bake buns but triggered the blast when he pressed the oven power switch. The 46-year-old said he noticed a faint gas smell before the incident but ignored it as he was used to it. As Chin Kui was the closest to the explosion, he said the incident left him temporarily blinded, and he experienced ringing in his ears. Thankfully, he didn’t suffer any injuries and walked away unharmed.
Besides Chin Kui, another worker and more than ten customers at the food court during the incident. Everyone was shocked by the explosion but escaped the situation uninjured. Overall, the blast affected about five hawker stalls in the food court and caused minor damage to the surrounding tables and chairs. The explosion also alarmed nearby residents and hawkers, drawing onlookers to the scene.
The food court has since suspended operations temporarily to allow for repairs. In the meantime, the authorities are holding an in-depth investigation to determine the specific cause of the explosion. Fortunately, the blast didn’t cause any casualties, but we hope Ng Chin Kui can recover from his loss.
Here’s a video of the aftermath of the explosion:
Sources: Oriental Daily, Sinar Harian, The Star
