Children hurt in Kells gas explosion

Four teenagers were injured when a gas cylinder exploded in Kells last Wednesday afternoon. Three boys and a girl, aged between 15 and 16, were rushed by ambulance to Our Lady's Hospital in Navan following the explosion which occurred at Magdalene Court. The youngsters are believed to have all suffered burns, but their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. The incident occurred at around 3pm last Wednesday and caused shock and panic in the area. According to Gardai, if more gas had been released from the cylinder, the explosion could have been much greater and the injuries much more serious. Gardai, who are investigating the cause of the explosion, have appealed to parents to be aware of their children's whereabouts and said they are trying to establish where the gas cylinder came from. A local resident said everyone in the area had been shocked by the explosion. "It was very noisy and frightening and it was horrible that children were injured. There was panic as parents tried to establish whether or not their children had been hurt," she said. Cllr Brian Curran, who in the past has warned about the dangers of gas cylinders left lying around estates in the town, said he was shocked and saddened by the incident. He urged people to be vigilant and to report any gas cylinders they see lying around estates or back lanes. "If you see them lying about, contact the Gardai or the town council to have them removed," he urged. Cllr Curran also warned householders to be careful of where they store gas cylinders, to make sure they are secure and to report any that go missing.