A peaceful evening on the picturesque island of Maui turned into a scene of chaos and tragedy when a gas barbecue exploded near the pool area of The Whaler condominium on Kaanapali Parkway. The incident, which occurred around 6:15 p.m. yesterday, left seven people injured, three of whom are in critical condition are said to be in critical condition . Witnesses described the explosion as sounding like a “bomb going off,” with some initially mistaking it for an earthquake. The force of the blast sent smoke and debris flying across the beachfront, captured by a nearby CCTV camera, underscoring the severity of the incident.
The explosion, believed to have been caused by a malfunctioning liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) grill, occurred in a popular area of the condominium complex, which offers rental properties to visitors. The Maui Fire Department and Maui Police Department responded swiftly to the scene, where they found victims ranging in age from 18 to 74 suffering from various injuries, including shrapnel wounds. One victim was airlifted to the Maui Memorial Medical Center Emergency Room for urgent care. Authorities have launched an investigation, with preliminary findings pointing to the LPG supply used for common area barbecues as the likely source of the explosion.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the aftermath. One Reddit user, who was on the scene shortly after the explosion, described the injuries as “gory” and the situation as “traumatic.” They recounted seeing multiple victims with shrapnel wounds, both large and small, being tended to by a medical trauma doctor who happened to be nearby. The witness praised the quick response of bystanders and first responders but emphasized the severity of the injuries, stating, “All of the victims were responsive, and to be polite, it was gory.”
Others who were staying at The Whaler condominium shared their shock at the incident. One guest, whose room was on the first floor near the grill area, said the explosion shook their entire room. “We had literally just used the doors in that area to get back to our room 40 minutes before this happened,” they wrote, expressing concern for the injured. Another guest, who was working nearby at the Outrigger, heard the blast and rushed to the scene to offer assistance. “It was bad,” they said. “Super sad to see people injured.”
The explosion also startled diners at nearby restaurants. Lyndsay Bourcellot, who was having dinner at Monkey Pod, described the moment the blast occurred. “We heard a loud noise, almost like a shake, and thought it might have been an earthquake,” she told Khon2. “The restaurant got quiet, and people were looking around, trying to figure out what had happened.” The suddenness and intensity of the explosion left many in the area shaken, even those who were not directly affected.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, questions about the safety of gas grills and LPG systems are likely to arise. For now, the focus remains on the injured and their recovery. The Whaler condominium, a place typically associated with relaxation and enjoyment, has become the site of an unforgettable tragedy. The victims, their families, and the Maui community will need time to heal from this devastating incident, which serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a moment of leisure can turn into a life-altering event.
