3 family members killed in gas heater accident — police

AMMAN — Three people from the same family on Monday died in a reported tragic gas heater accident in Amman, official sources said.

The victims died while at their home from a reported gas heater leakage, Police Spokesperson Lt. Col. Amer Sartawi said.

“Our initial investigations indicated that the probable cause of the family’s death is a gas leakage from a heater that was in the house,” Sartawi told The Jordan Times.

The police official added that the authorities “opened an investigation into the incident”.

“Foul play is ruled out for the time being pending further investigations and further analysis from blood and tissue samples taken from the victims,” the police official added.

Social media users identified the victim as a young man, his wife and their son, who are residents of the Shafa Badran area.

The victims were transported by the Civil Defence Department to the National Institute of Forensic Medicine for an official autopsy, according to a statement by the Public Security Directorate (PSD).

The PSD statement urged the public to exert caution and follow safety protocols when handling gas heaters.

“We urge the public to regularly check the gas cylinder and the hoses connected to them as well as opening the house windows occasionally to allow fresh air,” the PSD statement warned.

Officials in the past have identified several common causes of heater-related accidents, including inadequate ventilation, using heaters for drying clothes or cooking, and cylinder leaks, emphasising the potential for accidents, such as home fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Sartawi told The Jordan Times in a recent interview that there are several preventive measures such as the importance of regularly ventilating indoor spaces, avoiding leaving heaters unattended while sleeping, and discouraging the use of heaters in bathrooms.

Sartawi added that electric heaters should not be used for more than five consecutive hours, while kerosene heaters must not be refuelled while lit and should be turned off outside the house.

Sartawi said that there are five additional safety measures for gas heaters, including inspecting cylinders and connecting pieces for leaks, ensuring the flame is consistently turned on, and advising against children handling gas cylinder replacement.

The PSD official underlined the importance of keeping heaters away from confined spaces, such as kitchens and bedrooms, identifying the stairwell as the safest location for placement.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas produced by the burning processes in heaters, which diffuses across the lung tissues and into the bloodstream, making it difficult for the body’s cells to bind to oxygen. 

WHO warned that exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to difficulties in breathing, exhaustion, dizziness, and flu-like symptoms. High levels of exposure can be fatal, necessitating immediate action by calling emergency services.