A man in Malaysia tried unclogging his sink by using baking soda, which purportedly contained acid, and ended up flowing through the pipes and into his neighbour’s home, causing an explosion, according to Harian Metro.
China Press reported that the incident happened on 31 January at about 9.30pm.
The 32-year-old neighbour, who is a housewife, had heard an explosion from her kitchen and her children screaming.
She went to the kitchen with her husband where they found their two young children burned by the water that was flowing through the pipes from upstairs.
The children were then sent to the hospital where the 9-year-old son, who suffered burns over his scalp and body, had to remain in the ICU.
The 7-year-old daughter was burned on her right thigh but has been discharged from the hospital, and both children are in stable condition.
The man who was responsible for the incident, told the police that he had wanted to unclog his sink with a pack of baking soda that he bought online for RM50.
He poured it down the drain and the acid purportedly in the baking soda caused a chemical reaction upon contact with the water in the pipes, causing an explosion.
The Malaysian police are in the midst of investigating the incident.