A 24-YEAR-OLD Irishman has been killed following a suspected gas explosion in the Australian city of Darwin.
The man, who worked as a refrigeration mechanic, was killed when a gas bottle ignited as he started his van in the Parap suburb at 6.40am local time. It is believed he was on his way to work.
“It appears that gas has been ignited, causing an explosion that killed the man, destroyed the vehicle and caused damage to the home,” Tony Henrys of the Northern Territory police said.
“This has been declared a crime scene while fire investigators determine the cause,” he said.
A police chaplain said the man’s family in Ireland had been notified of the death. The Irish Embassy in Canberra has been in contact with the Darwin police.
Local media is reporting that the blast set off other bottles in a huge explosion that blew the doors off the van, blew out windows across the street and started a house fire. The blast was so loud it was heard several kilometres away.
Forensic and fire investigators, the police, Northern Territory emergency services and the government work-safety department all attended the scene.
Drew Marson, who lives in the street where the explosion happened, says he heard the man’s housemates screaming for help. Police detectives interviewed the Irishman’s housemates yesterday. They were allowed back to collect some possessions and are understood to be staying with friends.
One of the victim’s friends is reported to have boarded a flight to Ireland last night.
A refrigerator mechanic in Melbourne was killed in a similar blast three days earlier.