A 29-year-old mechanic who tragically lost his life in a gas cylinder explosion at a Dubai car showroom last week was preparing to marry later this year, according to his family. Cameroon national Nkeng Lord Boris Ekangwo was one of two individuals killed on Monday, August 3, when a fire broke out at a showroom in Al Quoz, triggering a fatal gas cylinder blast.
“He had a fiancee and they meant to get married by the end of this year,” his relative, Nkeng Lionel Nze, shared in an email. He added that Boris will be deeply missed for the affection he showed to everyone around him, noting, “He always made people laugh.”
Boris, who had been employed as an auto mechanic, had only been working at The Car Superstore for a few months as a temporary staff member. The second victim of the incident was an Indian expatriate identified as SP, a 27-year-old multimedia marketing specialist at the firm who had been married for one year.
The tragedy is particularly poignant as Boris would have celebrated his 30th birthday on August 8. “He was born in 1996, so he would have turned 30 years old,” Lionel explained. He described Boris as a loving, caring, respectful, and hardworking individual who approached his profession with immense passion. Having arrived in the UAE in 2019, Boris was highly regarded for his dedication to his craft.
As the youngest of five siblings, Boris is survived by three sisters. The family has faced significant hardship, having previously lost another brother in September 2024. Lionel reflected on Boris’s character, stating, “He was always willing to lend a helping hand in his own little way. Anyone who came across him will remember his humility, selflessness, resilience, and above all his fun nature.”
The Consulate General of the Republic of Cameroon confirmed that they were notified of the death by a close friend of the deceased. The diplomatic mission is currently working in close coordination with the family to facilitate the repatriation of his remains to Cameroon for burial. In an official statement, the consulate expressed, “We extend the deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, relatives, friends, and the entire Cameroonian community in the UAE.”
In the wake of the incident, The Car Superstore has remained closed. The business announced on social media that it would be temporarily shutting down, and a customer service representative confirmed that the facility will remain inaccessible to the public until further notice.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire. Dubai Civil Defence officials reported that the blaze was brought under control within one hour of the initial alert, and the site was subsequently secured to allow for forensic examination and safety assessments.
“He was very good at what he did always putting his job first.”
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Elizabeth Gonzales is a Digital Journalist who loves writing about the expat life — and ways to make the most of it.
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Source: Khaleej Times
