According to Firefighters in Panama the Explosion in Bijao was a Gasification Failure.
Cirili Castillo pictured below and firefighters revealed new details of the explosion in Bijao and indicated that the problem may have occurred during the gasification of the pipelines.
The investigations to determine the circumstances of the explosion that occurred in a PH in the residential area of Bijao, in Coclé, will continue this Monday, September 21, while specialists from the Fire Department continue with the investigations. New details provided by Cirilo Castillo pictured above, director of Safety, Prevention and Fire Investigation of the Benemérito Cuerpo de Bomberos de la República de Panamá (BCBRP), focus the attention of investigators on the gasification process of the pipelines. Castillo explained that before putting this type of system into operation, leak tests must be carried out to verify the conditions of the facilities.
“The leak test is mandatory every three years,” the official noted, adding that these evaluations must follow established procedures and be carried out by qualified personnel.
What Happened Before the Explosion in Bijao?
According to Castillo, the airtightness tests had already been carried out on the affected property and the next step was to gasify the system. This procedure involves introducing the gas in a controlled manner into the pipe to put the installation back into operation.
“It is filled apartment by apartment, floor by floor, depending on the morphology of the structure, and it must be done in the safest way possible,” Castillo explained.
The director pointed out that, in the case investigated in Bijao, the process was precisely at a stage after the airtightness tests.
Firefighters: “The Problem Arose During the Gassing Process.”
Castillo explained that once the procedure is completed, the valves must be closed and the corresponding pipes plugged. Regarding the direction the investigations are taking, the official indicated that the evidence gathered leads to a particular examination of this stage of the procedure. “The problem arose during the gasification process,” Castillo stated. However, investigations will continue to technically determine what happened during that process and establish the definitive cause of the explosion. So far, the Fire Department has not released a final expert report that determines the exact location of any leak or the responsibilities related to the incident.
What are Leak Tests?
Leak tests allow you to check if an installation or pipe system maintains adequate conditions and detect possible leaks before putting it into service. Castillo indicated that these tests are mandatory every three years and are also part of the procedures linked to the occupancy permit. Once approved, the pipeline is gasified following the corresponding safety protocols. Specifically, establishing what happened after those tests and during the gassing is part of the investigations being carried out by the researchers.
Explosion Caused Severe Damage in Bijao.
The explosion occurred on Friday, September 18, in a residential complex in Bijao, in Río Hato, Coclé province. The incident caused severe material damage to several apartments and left two people with minor injuries, according to later reports based on information from the Fire Department. Since then, the National Directorate of Fire Safety, Prevention, and Investigation has been involved in the investigations. Authorities initially avoided attributing the incident to a gas explosion while technical evidence was being gathered. The investigation will continue this Monday to clarify the circumstances of the incident and officially establish its cause.
Explosion in Bijao building: Shockwave Reaches Omar Alfanno’s Residence.
The shockwave from the explosion in Bijao reached Omar Alfanno’s residence. The artist shared a video showing the damage caused by the incident. The powerful explosion that occurred in a building in Bijao, Coclé province, also had repercussions in nearby properties, including the residence of renowned Panamanian singer-songwriter and composer Omar Alfanno. If you have Instagram, you can view the explosion effects quite a distance away, pictured below.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ddc0Th7Msxo/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=Ayw0odCKy8HX4QI_cuEOx14
