‘8 killed’ as gas explosion hits Lagos community

At least eight people were killed after a gas explosion occurred in the Baruwa area of Ipaja in Lagos state.

The incident occurred around 6am on Thursday.

Ibrahim Farinloye, acting coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said five bodies were recovered from the scene of the explosion.

But Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, director-general of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said eight fatalities were recorded in the incident.

“The explosion occurred and the agency activated a response plan. Initial disaster assessment is as follows: casualties still being assessed but eight fatalities have been identified so far. 25 houses that are mostly bungalows, 16 lock-up shops and one primary school have been affected,” he said.

Farinloye said the fire was caused by the generator of the gas station which was on when the LPG tanker was discharging.

GAS STATION CURRENTLY ON FIRE IN BARUWA AREA OF LAGOS, EXPLOSION OCCURRED AROUND 6.00AM.
The Agency has activated our emergency response plan.
Updates will follow
Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu
DG/CEO LASEMA @OkeOsanyintolu

— LRU #Call112 (@lasemasocial) October 8, 2020

In a statement, Nosa Okunbor, LASEMA spokesman, said investigation revealed that a gas station belonging to Best Roof Cooking Gas exploded burning buildings around it.

He said though the cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained, four persons died while several others were injured.

Okunbor said various agencies have been deployed at the scene of the inferno to prevent a further spread of the fire.

“On arrival at the scene of incident it was observed that there was a gas explosion at the aforementioned location,” he said.

“Further investigation at the scene revealed that the a gas station belonging to Best Roof Cooking Gas exploded by burning buildings around. The cause of the explosion could not be ascertained at the moment.

“Unfortunately, Four mortalities were recorded and several others injured. A combined effort of the Agency’s Tiger team, Dolphin team, LRU Fire, LASG Fire Service, NPF, NUPENG, and LNSC are on ground to curtail the spread of the fire to other buildings.”

On September 24, a gas explosion rocked the Ifako-Ijaiye area of Lagos. 16 persons were injured in the explosion and properties were destroyed.