A 29-year-old Cameroon national who died in a gas cylinder explosion at a Dubai car showroom was due to celebrate his 30th birthday just days after the fatal incident, leaving his family and friends mourning a life cut short.
Nkeng Lord Boris Ekangwo was among two people killed on August 3 after a fire at a car showroom in Al Quoz triggered a gas cylinder explosion. The second victim was a 27-year-old Indian expat who worked at the company.
Ekangwo, who worked as an auto mechanic, had been employed at The Car Superstore as a temporary worker for only a few months.
Family remembers Dubai expat as hardworking and kind
According to his relative Nkeng Lionel Nze, Ekangwo had been planning to marry his fiancée later this year.
“He had a fiancee and they meant to get married by the end of this year,” Nze said, describing him as someone who brought laughter and warmth to those around him.
Ekangwo was born in 1996 and would have turned 30 on August 8, only five days after the explosion.
His family remembers him as loving, respectful, hardworking and cheerful. He was the youngest of five siblings and is survived by three sisters. The family had already suffered the loss of another brother in September 2024.
Mechanic had lived in UAE since 2019
Ekangwo had been living in the UAE since 2019 and was passionate about his work as an automobile mechanic.
The Consulate General of Cameroon in the UAE confirmed that his death had been reported by a close friend. The consulate has also been working with his family to arrange the repatriation of his remains to Cameroon for burial.
Family members described Ekangwo as humble and selfless, saying he was always willing to help others.
Dubai showroom remains closed
The Car Superstore has remained closed since the incident. The company announced that the showroom would temporarily shut down, while a customer service representative said it would remain closed until further notice.
Dubai Civil Defence said the fire was brought under control within an hour of being reported and that the site was secured.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire and subsequent gas cylinder explosion.
As Ekangwo’s family waits for his remains to be returned to Cameroon, relatives and members of the Cameroonian community in the UAE continue to remember him for his dedication to his work, generosity and cheerful personality.
