Gas cylinder explosion in Sihlea, Vrancea, injures 53-year-old man and damages homes

What happened

A liquefied petroleum gas cylinder exploded at around 6 a.m. on 15 October 2026 in a house in Sihlea, a commune in Vrancea county, Romania. The first emergency call to 112 came at about 06:00, and callers reported an explosion with no fire but at least one person in need of medical care. Digi24 reported, citing information from its sources, that the cylinder had a capacity of about 1,700 litres. Locals told Digi24 that the man had been making his morning coffee before leaving for work when the cylinder blew. Some residents first believed the loud bang came from a nearby military base, according to G4Media.

Injuries and emergency response

The 53-year-old man was found with burns covering about 55% of his body, according to G4Media, which cited the authorities. Adevarul.ro reported that he received first aid at the scene, was stabilised and monitored by medical teams, and was then taken to the emergency reception unit of the Sf. Pantelimon County Hospital in Focșani for specialist care. Fire, ambulance and SMURD crews were sent to the scene. The Focșani fire detachment dispatched three crews, including a water and foam tender, and an SAJ Vrancea ambulance team also attended. Authorities secured the perimeter while ISU specialists worked to establish what triggered the blast.

Damage to homes

Firefighters said three buildings were completely destroyed: two attached houses and an animal shelter in the immediate vicinity. Seven other households nearby suffered damage to windows and doors, with glass broken or cracked by the force of the blast. Digi24 gave a different tally, reporting that two homes and an outbuilding were destroyed and seven other homes were damaged. Digi24 also said that footage from the town hall's surveillance cameras showed the blast being felt over a distance of tens of metres. Adevarul.ro and other outlets put the total number of affected homes at ten.

Cause under investigation

Authorities said the explosion most likely followed a build-up of flammable gas inside the house. The statement from ISU Vrancea, as published by Libertatea and Adevarul.ro, said the following about the scene:

After checks at the scene, it was found that the event most likely occurred following an accumulation of combustible gases inside the dwelling.

The same statement said the owner used an LPG tank for heating and cooking, placed outside the building. G4Media, however, reported that the cylinder was inside the building and also served the stove, so the location of the tank remains contested in the reporting. Authorities urged residents to use only approved equipment, meaning ISCIR-certified tanks with valid technical inspection and special LPG fittings secured with metal clamps at both ends. Investigators are still working to determine the exact circumstances of the blast.