A Cockroach Kind of Caused an Explosion in a Japan Flat

By
Shernice Sim
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Insecticide Explosion: Japanese Man’s Battle with Cockroach Ends in Midnight Blast

At around midnight of 10 December 2023, an explosion occurred in an apartment room in the city of Kumamoto, Japan.

The explosion broke the balcony window, and caused minor injuries to the tenant living in said apartment.

Upon further investigation, it was reported that the explosion occurred sometime after the tenant had used a large amount of insecticide to kill a cockroach.

(I mean… Relatable…)

The Cause of the Explosion

According to The Mainichi, the Kumamoto Prefectural Police’s Kumamoto Higashi Police Station reported that the 54-year-old man, attempting to kill a cockroach, sprayed a significant amount of insecticide around his apartment.

Around one minute later, an explosion occurred.

During the investigation, burn marks were found near the tenant’s kotatsu, a Japanese heated table covered by a futon or a heavy blanket. A heat source, most commonly an electric heater, is attached under the kotatsus.

Meanwhile, the solvents found in insecticides are highly flammable and need to be kept away from heat sources that may cause them to ignite or explode.

Many sprays also incorporate flammable components, including alcohol.

Additionally, they include propellants like propane and butane, which helps to expel liquid insecticide from the can into the air.

To those who did not pay attention in Chemistry class in Secondary School, here’s a summary: Insecticides + Heat source = Kaboom.

The National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan has received multiple reports of explosions thought to be caused by sprayed insecticides igniting upon contact with electrical outlets or other sources.

The most horrifying part? It was not confirmed if the cockroach was killed or not.

Another “Explosive” Cockroach-related Incident

Seeing something as vile and revolting as this six-legged pest often sets off the fight or flight response in humans. 

And when the dial turns to fight… Well…

Let’s just say the Japanese man wasn’t the only one who inadvertently committed arson just to kill the disgusting thing.

In Fujian, China, a man had armed himself with a can of insecticide and a lighter in order to deal with one of these cockroach adversaries at his doorstep.

A bad decision, you think, because if you had been paying attention earlier, insecticides are flammable.

Long story short, the man had accidentally set three cars ablaze after the deadly mixture set a nearby bucket of alcohol-based fuel to ignite and explode, injuring the man in the process. 

According to reports, the losses reportedly cost RMB311,400 (~S$60,600). 

While the fear of cockroaches is most definitely understandable and valid… We should also learn to stay calm and use our weapon of choice wisely.

Or, you can just beg your foodpanda rider to get rid of it for you, simple!

Here’s a simplified summary of the South Korea martial law that even a 5-year-old would understand:

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Shernice Sim