The early Thursday morning gas explosion in Baruwa area of Lagos has recorded 5 dead, 8 injured with major burns and many properties destroyed.
It was also recorded that 25 houses were damaged with 10 classified as “Severely Affected”,16 Shops Razed by the fire,1 Private Primary School, a Hotel, 3 Vehicles comprising of a pickup truck, tricycle and motorcycle.
According to eyewitness account, the explosion occurred at about 6.20am at Candos Road, Baruwa Inside, when an a LPG tanker, which was in the process of discharging at the Best Roof Plant Station, exploded.
South-west Zonal Coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, who confirmed the incident, said emergency services were quickly deployed to contain the inferno.
He said five dead bodies had been recovered so far and three injured person including a woman and two children had been evacuated and taken to the intensive care hospital due to the degree of burns.
Farinloye, who said the fire had been put off, attributed the large scale destruction to the location of the gas plant station in the densely populated community.
25 houses damaged with 10 classified as “Severely Affected”,16 Shops Razed by the fire,1 Private Primary School, a Hotel, 3 Vehicles comprising of a pickup truck, tricycle and motorcycle.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed deep sorrow over the incident, describing as a sad memory in the life of the administration.
He said final reports on the cause of the explosion suggested negligence on the part of the gas plant operators, noting that the government would take stiffer measures against operators of gas plants and/or any combustible items in the State to avoid future recurrence of such disaster.
He said: “The gas explosion this morning has left a sour taste in my mouth. It is a reminder of the dark episode of March this year at Abule Ado Soba when innocent lives were lost to gas explosions of monumental proportion and properties destroyed. I really can’t believe that we would witness another such incident, no matter how little.”
“I wish to therefore register my heartfelt condolences to the families of those that lost their loved ones in the fire. I pray that God grant their souls eternal rest.”
“The reports I got showed that the explosion could have been avoided if the operators of the gas plant had adhered to safety guidelines. Lives would have been saved and properties too would not have been affected.”
The Governor restated his administration’s commitment to safety of lives and properties of Lagosians by ensuring that operators follow strict regulations in the operations of gas plants.
