Teacher Suffers Burns After Gas Cylinder Explosion Destroys Home

December 9 2025

Two persons are now homeless after a mid-afternoon fire ravaged the Lot 1 ‘B’ Mount Sinai, New Amsterdam home of 48-year-old cash crop farmer and vendor, Ishmael King. The three-bedroom wooden and concrete structure, which King shared with his 20-year-old son for the past 18 years, was completely destroyed today.

According to reports, King’s son, a teacher attached to the Canje Secondary School, was preparing a meal when the gas cylinder he was using suddenly exploded.

The resulting blaze rapidly engulfed the furnished home, leaving him with burns to his leg. He is currently receiving treatment at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Ishmael King

King, who was vending at his usual spot opposite Scotia Bank, said he received a call around 2:10 pm informing him that his home was on fire. He immediately rushed to the scene but was met with an inferno.

“When I come the house on full fire and I cyan run in the house cause life more important. I know these things so happen [but] I give thanks that me son alive, I give thanks that I even alive,” King told this publication.

He estimated losses in excess of $10 million, noting that everything from furniture and household items to important documents was destroyed. King also reported that $250,000 in cash was consumed in the blaze.

“All I get left is the clothes I get on me,” he lamented, adding that he plans to shelter temporarily in the small shop located in front of the burnt-out structure until assistance becomes available.

Anyone willing to assist King in rebuilding his home can contact him on 621-2010.