‘3 killed, 13 injured’ as tanker explodes in Lagos

Three persons were killed and 13 sustained injuries on Thursday night, following a tanker explosion in Ikeja, Lagos state.

According to eyewitnesses, the impact of the explosion was felt inside buildings in the government residential area (GRA) axis of Ikeja.

As of the time of this report, it wasn’t clear what caused the tanker to explode.

The explosion is said to have occurred around Sheraton Hotel area, located on the Mobolaji Bank Anthony way in Ikeja.

Ibrahim Farinloye, acting coordinator, south-west zonal office, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), told NAN that three persons were killed, 13 persons were injured while 25 cars were destroyed as a result of the explosion.

He said the explosion was alleged to have been caused by leakage while the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker was in motion.

“The resulting fire travelled with the wind to the premises of Ogun State Property Investment Company (OPIC) Plaza besides Sheraton Hotels, which houses different commercial outfits including a Chinese Restaurant,” he said.

“The fire was put out at about 12.30 a.m., after concerted efforts of five fire trucks from the Lagos State Fire Service and two trucks from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency Response Unit.

“The initial search and rescue activities revealed that 13 persons sustained various degrees of burns. Out of this, nine are males while four are females.

“We have so far recovered three bodies from the incident. The bodies were recovered from the generator house of OPIC Plaza and the restaurant.”

Farinloye said the affected victims were taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

He said four of the victims with severe injuries were later transferred to the trauma and burns centre at Gbagada General Hospital.

“Comprehensive post-disaster assessment on the extent of general damages would be done later today,” Farinloye added.

The incident comes weeks after a fire razed the fabric section of Cairo market in Oshodi, Lagos.

The Oshodi market fire occurred exactly six weeks before the latest incident.

While goods worth millions of naira were destroyed in the market fire, no loss of life was recorded.