In Salvador, Brazil, a gas leak resulted in a catastrophic explosion in a building located in the Stiep neighborhood, injuring 16 people. The explosion occurred on Friday morning, originating from apartment 204, and was preceded by a strong smell of gas that had been reported in the building's hallways since earlier that morning. Residents reported growing concerns, leading them to call for help from the fire department.

Footage from security cameras captured the dramatic moments leading up to the explosion, showing firefighters attempting to enter the apartment to assess and control the leak. However, it was noted that the firefighters only acted after receiving permission to force entry, resulting in criticism from residents for not evacuating the building prior to addressing the situation. This hesitance caused by delayed action has drawn attention to the protocols followed by emergency services in crisis scenarios.

Following the explosion, fire quickly spread throughout the building, leading to widespread destruction of several apartments. The incident has prompted discussions on safety measures related to gas leaks and emergency preparedness, as well as the overall responsiveness of emergency services in high-risk situations. The residents have expressed their outrage, emphasizing the need for an improvement in emergency protocols to prevent such dangerous scenarios from occurring in the future.