Today, the Panama Fire Department will return to the PH Monserrat residential building to conduct a full technical inspection, aiming to determine what caused the explosion on the 21st floor, which left one resident with second-degree burns.
The explosion caused panic in the 25-story building, located near the Colegio Comercial Panamá and 12 de Octubre Avenue, forcing the evacuation of more than 100 people and 25 pets, including dogs and cats, to a safe point.
Today's deep inspection could define whether the explosion was related to the building's gas system. This is because residents revealed that the gas supply had been suspended a month ago and was scheduled to be reactivated just yesterday, increasing suspicion of a leak.
The inspection will involve a complete review of the gas system, risk control in the affected area, a structural evaluation of the residential building, and the verification of possible leaks or failures in the service reactivation.
These tests are necessary before allowing residents to return to their apartments.
For now, the building remains evacuated, while families hope this inspection will clarify what happened and give them a safe path back.
The community is also asking for broader answers, considering this case adds to two other similar recent incidents in the city that resulted in two fatalities. Therefore, today an explosion is not being investigated: the effectiveness of safety and maintenance protocols in Panama's residential buildings is being measured.
