Dubai showroom gas blast killed mechanic Boris Ekangwo, who had planned to marry later this year and turn 30 on August 8.
A 29-year-old mechanic who died in a gas cylinder blast at a Dubai car showroom had planned to get married later this year, according to his family.
Nkeng Lord Boris Ekangwo, a Cameroon national, was one of two people killed after a fire broke out at a car showroom in Al Quoz on Monday, August 3. The fire caused a gas cylinder to burst.
Boris was working as an auto mechanic at The Car Superstore. He had joined the company only a few months before the incident. He was working there as a temporary worker.
His relative, Nkeng Lionel Nze, said Boris was engaged and planned to marry his fiancee by the end of the year.
“He had a fiancee and they meant to get married by the end of this year,” Lionel said. He added that Boris would be deeply missed by those who knew him.
Boris would also have turned 30 on August 8, just five days after the fatal blast.
Lionel said Boris was born in 1996. He described him as loving, caring, respectful and hard working. He also said Boris had a fun nature and often made people laugh.
Boris had lived in the UAE since 2019, according to the Consulate General of the Republic of Cameroon. His death was reported to the consulate by a close friend.
Lionel said Boris was passionate about his work as a mechanic. He was known for putting his job first and was highly skilled at his work.
He had moved to The Car Superstore only a few months before the incident. His temporary role at the company was still new when the fire took place.
Boris was the youngest of five siblings. His family included two boys and three girls. His brother died in September 2024. Boris is now survived by his three sisters.
Lionel remembered Boris as a kind person who was always ready to help others.
“Anyone who came across him will remember his humility, selflessness, resilience and above all his fun nature,” he said.
The second person killed in the incident was a 27-year-old Indian expat identified as SP. He worked as a multimedia marketing specialist at the company and had married last year.
The car showroom has remained closed since the blast. The company said it was temporarily shutting the site after the incident. A customer service representative later confirmed that the showroom would remain closed until further notice.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire and the gas cylinder explosion.
Dubai Civil Defence said the fire was brought under control within an hour after it was reported. The site was then secured as officials continued their work.
Boris’ family is also waiting for his remains to be sent back to Cameroon. The Cameroonian consulate has said it is working with his family to arrange his repatriation.
The consulate offered condolences to Boris’ family, friends and the wider Cameroonian community in the UAE.
His death has left his family and friends facing a painful loss. For those close to him, the planned wedding and his 30th birthday made the tragedy even harder to accept.
Boris had spent several years in the UAE and built a life around his work and family. His relatives now hope to bring him home to Cameroon for his final rites.
