Two Gas Explosions In Five Months Raise Concerns Among Lagos Residents

At least two gas explosions that occurred in five months in Lagos have raised serious concern among the state residents.

The developments that occurred in different areas of the state have claimed about ten lives while a lot of people sustained various injuries.

Recall, at least five unidentified bodies were recovered from the debris of a full loaded Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG tanker which suddenly exploded around midnight on Thursday, at Maryland, inward Ikeja, along Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way area of the state with several vehicles, running into millions of naira burnt to ashes in the process.

This online medium gathered that the inferno which occured around 11.45 pm midnight at Ikeja, infront of Sheraton and Opic plaza, was later put out by men of the Lagos- State Fire Rescue Services and men of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Nigerian Police and other emergency responders.

It was also learnt that those who suffered burns were rushed to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, for treatment.

Consequently, thousands of onlookers and sympathisers thronged the scene of the tragedy as rescue workers battled to bring the situation under control.

Primebusiness.africa on Tuesday, November 16, reported that another gas explosion occurred at Ojekunle Street, Ladipo, Mushin area of Lagos, claiming five persons’ lives.

Confirming the development, Ibrahim Farinloye, the South-west coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said one female and three male bodies have been recovered.

Farinloye added that a 10-year-old, who was trapped in the explosion, died on the way to the hospital.

Also, a statement from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), read that the gas ignited and exploded in an “open land with shanties and shops where gas cylinders are stacked.”

Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the director-general of the agency, appealed to all residents in the area to remain calm.

The Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odunmosu, while addressing journalists at the scene, said the unfortunate accident was ignited by a phone call.

He said one of the casualties was making a telephone call close to one of the gas cylinders.

Odumosu said: “It is completely avoidable, human negligence led to it. From what I have seen there, from what I have heard, the thing blew off, someone was trying to refill the gas cylinder as well as making a call.”

John Ikemefuna, an eyewitness who spoke with Primebusiness.africa’s reporter said the development occurred barely few minutes after he left the scene.

Speaking with journalists, Honorable Olarewaju Bangboye, chairman of Musin Local government area, said: It’s very unfortunate that an incident like this could happen in the area. It was an unexpected occurrence.

“I personally will set up a committee to investigate the curse of the incident because Musin is an industrial place. Before the evening now, the governor will call me. I am going to give an account for this.”