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Woman injured in Khail Gate gas stove blast is now stable

Dubai - While she survived, her mother, Shirin Gandhi, succumbed to her 60 per cent burn injuries a day after the explosion. Her four-month-old daughter, Zara, had a miraculous escape with a few minor injuries.

One of the victims critically injured at Dubai's Al Khail Gate gas stove blast has stabilised after spending a month in the ICU of Rashid Hospital.
Victim: Woman dies due to Al Khail gas blast injuries
Indian national, Mariam Gandhi, sustained 50 per cent burns and was battling for life after an explosion ripped the walls of her apartment at phase one of Al Khail Gate in August.
Miracle: Baby gets second chance in Dubai explosion, 2 critical
While she survived, her mother, Shirin Gandhi, succumbed to her 60 per cent burn injuries a day after the explosion. Her four-month-old daughter, Zara, had a miraculous escape with a few minor injuries.
"I went to the kitchen to make breakfast in the morning, then suddenly a blast happened. I didn't know whether it was something leaking or what exactly happened," Mariam told Khaleej Times at Rashid Hospital of the blast that happened at about 11:20am.
Problems faced by residents: Post explosion, residents take shelter in their cars
At the time of the blast, her mother, Shirin, was in the dining hall and her daughter was sleeping in the bedroom.
"After the blast, I fell down. I was half conscious on the floor, and two men came to my rescue and asked who else was in the house. First thing I said was that my baby is in the bedroom. They put me on a stretcher and then I blacked out. I don't remember what happened after that."
Another accident: Building wall collapses at Al Khail Gate in Dubai
After 30 days in the ICU, Mariam was shifted to the burns section of the hospital. According to her, she has been in the hospital for 45 days.
"The walls of my house are destroyed," she said. The explosion, she added, wrecked the fifth floor of the building.
According to her husband Hussain Lokhandwala, Mariam does not know her mother died.
Damage caused:Dubai building wall collapses after explosion
"We have not told her yet. It has been a difficult couple of months and we are focusing on her recovery," he said.
Lokhandwala added that the family does not yet know the reason behind the blast. But the family has been given a transit unit by the community's developers Dubai Properties (DP).
"This is my daughter," said Lokhandwala as he displayed a picture of a smiling baby on his mobile phone. Zara is being looked after by relatives.
"Doctors refused to keep her in the hospital because she's young and may catch infections," he added.
Following the blast, DP has issued a ban on using cooking gas inside its premises and encouraged residents to buy electric cookers.
Issuing a statement to Khaleej Times, DP said: "We encourage tenants to refrain from the use of gas cylinders in Al Khail Gate due to outlined community guidelines and permits. For the safety and security of all Al Khail Gate residents we advise all tenants not to use gas cylinders due to the hazard they pose in case of any misuse. We do this by regularly educating tenants on the community guidelines stipulated in their tenancy contracts, and it is critical that they strictly uphold the terms of their contract. Our property management teams and tenants must work together for the community's overall safety and security."
Lokhandwala said the new rule worries many of the community's residents. "While phase 2 has sockets for electric cooks, the old phase does not."
He added that discussions of new housing are still pending with DP.
Asking Gandhi about her condition, she replied, "I'm okay," with a smile.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com