An Indian-origin man from Kerala was killed in a gas cylinder explosion at a car showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai on Monday, the Indian Consulate in Dubai confirmed, Gulf News reported.The victim was identified as Shijin Paul, 27, from Kottarakkara in Kerala’s Kollam district.A relative told the outlet that Shijin succumbed to his injuries at a hospital after the explosion.“I was informed by his company about the blast. Unfortunately, he had passed away by the time I reached the hospital,” the relative said.Shijin worked as the showroom’s multimedia marketing specialist, handling social media and videography. According to his family, he had joined the company in November. He is survived by his parents and wife.
Colleague recounts fire before blast
A co-worker who witnessed the incident said employees rushed outside after colleagues noticed a fire on the premises.“Some of us, including Shijin and I, went out of our showroom after some of our colleagues alerted us about a fire,” Abid, a photographer who worked with Shijin, told the newspaper.“There were people from several shops nearby too, not just from our showroom. Many people came running after spotting the fire.”Abid said the flames appeared to have broken out near a gate close to neighbouring auto service workshops.“There is a gate in one corner of the showroom, and the fire started somewhere there. There are some auto service companies next to our showroom, and the fire was near their location.”
Explosion struck during firefighting efforts
According to Abid, people at the scene attempted to contain the fire with extinguishers before the cylinder exploded.“People were trying to put out the fire with fire extinguishers. The explosion occurred while efforts were underway to douse the fire. Everyone ran away,” he said.He added that he did not immediately realise Shijin had been caught in the blast.“I don’t know who all got hit. I got to know about his death later,” Abid said.The Indian Consulate said it remains in contact with Shijin’s family and the authorities to provide support following the incident.
