Three persons were reportedly killed and 13 sustained injuries on Thursday night, following a tanker explosion at Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way 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.
An eyewitness alleged that the fire was caused by a leaking gas tanker that broke down just after a Filling station, causing panic at the filling station and making both staff and customers flee for their lives.
The eyewitness said;
The fire was caused by a leaking gas tanker that broke down just after Total Filling station at around 10:30pm causing panic at the filling station that made both staff and customers flee for their lives.
Repeated calls to the Lagos state fire service for preemptive measures proved abortive until the tanker exploded at about 11:PM and the resulting inferno quickly spread around, especially into the plaza after the filling station.
A gallant effort from the Lagos state fire service when did arrive curtailed the rage of the fire and arguably prevented further damage.
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 fire was eventually put out around 12:30am with the help of seven fire trucks from Lagos Fire Service and LASEMA Response Unit.
Lagos state commissioner of police, Hakeem Odumosu has visited the scene of the incident with other officials of the Lagos state government.
Here are more photos and a video below…..
