1Associate Professor, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad
2Assist Prof, Dept. of Forensic Odontology, Panineeya Institute of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, Hyderabad
3Assist. Prof, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad
4Post Graduate Trainee, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad
5Post Graduate Trainee, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad
*Corresponding Author: E-mail: dr.rambarapu.sudha@gmail.com
Online published on 14 September, 2015.
Death from the blast of refrigerators is a rare entity and the cause of such explosions was contaminated gas in the cooling units. Methyl chloride or chloromethane also called as R-40 is a hazardous chemical compound that is extremely flammable, which was widely used refrigerant but its usage has been discontinued because of its toxicity and flammability. This paper reports a rare incident of blowing up of the fridge while filling nitrogen gas in compressor; at a refrigerator-cum-air conditioner repair center. Two youngsters who were filling the nitrogen gas were killed on the spot following explosion. Investigation confirmed that the cause of the explosion was the contaminated gas in the cooling units, which is very unusual and it was identified as R-40. The impact of the blast was so severe that the fridge dismembered into smithereens, ceiling fan and window panes were shattered to pieces.
Refrigerator, Explosion, Methyl Chloride/Chloromethane, Contamination of Gas
