Bungling criminals caused gas explosion at Dubai farm

A bungling black market trader was caught red-handed after setting fire to a Dubai farm.

The Afghani man and a compatriot inadvertently caused an explosion after gas leaked from a cylinder they were filling up.

Dubai Civil Defence turned out to tackle the blaze on June 30 and police were alerted by the farm owner.

The pair, aged 37 and 39, were caught out when one of the men was found to have burn marks to his hands and legs when tracked down by police.

Officers discovered the duo were in possession of a haul of 112 gas cylinders, which they admitted buying from Ajman before applying fake government accreditation to them with the intent to sell them for a profit in Dubai.

One of them men was renting a room from the owner of the palm tree farm, in Al Aweer, Dubai Criminal Court heard.

Both accused admitted illegally possessing 112 gas cylinders, forging Dubai government stickers, posing risk by illegally refilling and selling cylinders, and causing a fire.

The case was adjourned until October 22 for sentencing.