Youth suffers severe burns after using toilet at his home— could it happen with you too?

A bizarre and terrifying incident unfolded in the National Capital Region when a routine trip to the bathroom turned into a nightmare for a young man, who sustained serious injuries after his home's toilet suddenly exploded.

“The blast left Ashu with severe burn injuries to his face and body. He was rushed to the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Greater Noida, where doctors confirmed he had suffered 35% burns,” reported TOI quoting Ashu’s father, Sunil Pradhan.

Importantly, he clarified that Ashu wasn’t using any mobile phone or electronic gadget at the time, ruling out some common theories like gadget explosions.

What happened?

Initial assessments ruled out any electrical malfunction as the cause of the explosion, with the home's air conditioning and other appliances working normally at the time. Instead, the blast was traced to an unexpected yet potentially hazardous culprit—methane gas buildup.

The family believes that methane may have accumulated in the toilet bowl due to a clogged drain. They suspect a spark—though the exact source remains unknown—ignited the gas, triggering the explosion.

Despite the alarming nature of the incident, AP Verma, a senior manager of the Greater Noida Authority told TOI that the system is clean and functioning normally. It appears that the explosion might have resulted from some internal problem within the house.

Why could this happen anywhere?

This incident is a wake-up call about how aging plumbing, poor ventilation, and neglected sewage maintenance can create dangerous conditions even in modern homes. While such explosions are rare, it is advised that homeowners regularly inspect and clean their plumbing systems, especially in older buildings, to prevent dangerous gas buildup.