In the quiet city of Kumamoto, an ordinary evening took a terrifying turn for a 54-year-old man on December 10. Desperate to rid his apartment of a pesky cockroach, he resorted to a common solution: insecticide.
Little did he know that this ordinary act would result in a shocking explosion, leaving him with minor injuries and his apartment in disarray, according to The Mainichi.
The incident unfolded at approximately 12 a.m. in Kumamoto’s Chuo Ward, a serene neighborhood known for its peaceful atmosphere.
The man’s attempt to combat a cockroach quickly escalated into a dangerous situation, prompting us to reflect on the potential hazards associated with everyday household items.
What happened?
The explosion occurred on December 10, adding an unexpected and alarming twist to what was an ordinary night for the residents of Kumamoto.
The Chuo Ward, typically known for its safety and tranquility, became the epicenter of this incident. The repercussions of the explosion were felt not only by the man involved but also by the community at large.
Faced with the common household nuisance—a cockroach—the man decided to take matters into his own hands. Armed with an insecticide spray, he aimed to swiftly resolve the issue.
However, within a minute of the insecticide spray, an explosion rocked the apartment. The blast not only shattered a balcony window but also left the man with minor injuries. The immediate aftermath was a scene of chaos and confusion.
Investigation Findings
The Kumamoto Higashi Police Station swiftly launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion. Their findings shed light on the potentially dangerous combination of insecticides and specific household items.
During the investigation, burn marks were discovered near a “kotatsu” heating table, revealing a possible link between the insecticide spray and the explosion.
A kotatsu table is a traditional Japanese piece of furniture designed for heating during the colder months. It typically consists of a low, wooden table frame covered by a heavy blanket or futon, with a heat source underneath. The heat source is often an electric heater or a charcoal brazier built into the table.
And given the flammability of insecticides, it is believed it might have ignited the kotatsu table and caused the explosion.