NIBONG TEBAL: A family of five suffered injuries in an explosion, believed to have been caused by a cooking gas leak, at their home in Taman Cenderawasih here on Sunday (May 8) night.

       The explosion also damaged at least two other houses, as well as a motorcycle and a car parked nearby.

       Fire and Rescue Department operations officer Abd Syukur @ Mohd Ilhami Musa said the department was told of the incident at 9.45pm.

       "When we arrived at the scene, we found that the damage to the three houses was similar to the effect of an explosion, probably due to cooking gas leakage,” he said on Monday (May 9).

       He also said that all five victims were sent to Hospital Penang.

       Meanwhile, Penang environment and welfare committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the victims comprised a 35-year-old man, his twin sons aged five, and his two nieces aged 14 and 20.

       He said during the incident, the family had just returned home and as they were opening the door, there was an explosion that resulted in their injuries.

       R. Sumathi, 44, a neighbour, said she was shocked to see the victims, including two young children, covered in blood and standing in front of her house.

       "They came to my house after the explosion crying and asking for help,” said Sumathi, who helped to send some of them to the hospital.

       Another neighbour, Mohd Hashim Ahmad, 41, said he and his family were startled by the explosion and strong tremors.

       "Initially, I thought it was an earthquake. When we realised it was an explosion next door, we immediately left the house for fear of another explosion.

       "At that time, a crowd had already gathered in front of our house," he said, adding that his losses from the damage to his home and belongings were estimated at about RM30,000. – Bernama