House blast in Grand Polonia Medan linked to gas pipe

An explosion damaged a house in the Grand Polonia complex in Medan Polonia, Medan City, on Monday afternoon and struck at least four to five nearby houses. The front of the building believed to be the center of the blast was destroyed, while the canopy collapsed, the corrugated roof was damaged, walls were breached and debris hit at least three parked cars. Medan Police Chief Jean Calvijn Simanjuntak said the initial investigation found signs of a leak from an embedded gas pipe in the three-story house. Police said gas content was detected during the initial examination, but the exact cause is still being studied. Medan City fire and rescue officials had earlier received a report that someone may have been trapped in the rubble, but by Monday night evacuation and search operations were still under way.