Azerigas dismisses claims linking blasts to low-quality gas
The president of Azerbaijan`s state-controlled gas
supplier, Azerigas, has dismissed media allegations that the
consecutive explosions in homes caused by gas leaks were due to the
low quality of gas.
Alikhan Malikov told a news conference Friday that the accidents occur due to people`s failure to observe safety regulations and rules for operating a variety of devices.
Malikov said official conclusions had not determined that the make-up of the gas was to blame for the explosions. In fact, the investigation has revealed that the accidents resulted from improper use of gas.
"If the explosions were caused by the composition of gas, such accidents would become widespread, encompassing the whole country," Malikov asserted.
He emphasized that the smoke pipes of Iranian-made gas heaters used in Azerbaijani households often have no outlets outside, so rubber hoses are used instead of metal pipes to eliminate dangerous fumes, which poses a safety threat to the consumer.
Malikov noted that one of the reasons for gas explosions was a lack of the heating system in many buildings. "In the absence of a heating system, residents are using alternative options such as gas heaters."
Gas leaks have lately resulted in two explosions in Baku, causing casualties and injuries. On January 16, five people were killed and 10 others injured after a blast rocked a five-story residential building in the Nasimi district.
Alikhan Malikov told a news conference Friday that the accidents occur due to people`s failure to observe safety regulations and rules for operating a variety of devices.
Malikov said official conclusions had not determined that the make-up of the gas was to blame for the explosions. In fact, the investigation has revealed that the accidents resulted from improper use of gas.
"If the explosions were caused by the composition of gas, such accidents would become widespread, encompassing the whole country," Malikov asserted.
He emphasized that the smoke pipes of Iranian-made gas heaters used in Azerbaijani households often have no outlets outside, so rubber hoses are used instead of metal pipes to eliminate dangerous fumes, which poses a safety threat to the consumer.
Malikov noted that one of the reasons for gas explosions was a lack of the heating system in many buildings. "In the absence of a heating system, residents are using alternative options such as gas heaters."
Gas leaks have lately resulted in two explosions in Baku, causing casualties and injuries. On January 16, five people were killed and 10 others injured after a blast rocked a five-story residential building in the Nasimi district.
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