Toilet Blast in Noida: 20-Year-Old Suffers Severe Burns from Methane Explosion

Greater Noida, May 17 :  In a bizarre and deeply alarming incident, a 20-year-old man in Greater Noida suffered serious burn injuries after a toilet seat exploded at his home moments after he flushed. The victim, identified as Ashu Nagar, sustained 35% burns on his body and face, and is currently undergoing treatment at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Kasana.

The incident took place in Sector 36, where Ashu was using the bathroom when the explosion occurred. Family members rushed him to the hospital, where doctors described his condition as critical but stable.

According to preliminary investigations, the cause of the explosion appears to be a buildup of methane gas in the sewage system, exacerbated by blocked drainage pipes and poor ventilation. Methane, a highly flammable gas, is commonly produced in decomposing sewage, and in the absence of proper airflow, can accumulate to dangerous levels.

Residents of the area have voiced strong criticism of the Greater Noida Authority, blaming the explosion on long-standing neglect of the sewer infrastructure. Local residents, including RWA secretary Alok Nagar, pointed out that a damaged sewer line near the P-3 roundabout has gone unrepaired for over a year, despite repeated complaints.

“There used to be ventilation pipes to release gases, but they were removed and never replaced. This was a disaster waiting to happen,” said one concerned resident.

In response, civic officials claimed initial inspections showed no apparent fault in the sewage system, but admitted that further technical investigation is needed. They plan to bring in IIT experts to analyze the sewer design and gas buildup possibilities.

Authorities are also considering area-wide checks and repairs, while the incident has sparked a wave of anxiety and calls for urgent overhauls in public infrastructure, especially in densely populated residential zones.

This rare and dangerous incident has raised important questions about urban safety, infrastructure maintenance, and citizen welfare in fast-growing cities like Greater Noida.