A man residing in Kumamoto, Japan, inadvertently set his high-end residence ablaze last Sunday while attempting to eradicate a lone cockroach with insecticide, as detailed by Insider magazine.
The 54-year-old individual, in his pursuit of the cockroach, liberally sprayed numerous insecticides, inadvertently triggering an explosion that shattered the balcony window, resulting in the man sustaining minor injuries, according to reports from Japanese police conveyed by Mainichi Shimbun on Monday, as cited by Insider.
The investigation revealed burn marks in close proximity to the kotatsu, a traditional Japanese heated table, within the individual’s home.
This incident is not an isolated case, as there have been previous instances of explosions linked to the use of insecticides. According to Japan’s National Consumer Affairs Center, there have been reported cases of explosions resulting from insecticides catching fire when sprayed in proximity to electrical outlets, as reported by Mainichi Shimbun.
The inherent danger of placing liquid sprays in specific areas has been emphasized by experts. Philip Koehler, a retired entomology professor at the University of Florida, warned about the risks in a university post in January 2022, stating, “Putting liquid sprays in certain areas can be very dangerous. Areas with electricity, engines, or exposed wiring pose a risk of electric shock to people using water-based pesticide sprays. Sparks from experiments and gas flames from heaters and appliances can ignite oil-based pesticides,” Koehler continued.
