Joy Anyim
A gas explosion occurred, on Thursday morning, at Unity Bus-Stop, Candos Road in the Baruwa Inside in the Ayobo Ipaja Local Council Development Area in Lagos State, killing five persons including a woman and two children.
The gas explosion which started in the early hours of Thursday, at Best Roof Cooking Gas, affected at least 44 buildings in the area.
According to a situation report by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the cause of the explosion was unknown as at press time.
The agency said, “On arrival at the scene of incident it was observed that there was a gas explosion at the aforementioned location.
“Further investigation at the scene revealed that 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, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), NUPENG, and Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Vorps (LNSC), are on ground to curtail the spread of the fire to other buildings.
“Dampening down ongoing. Presently the gas valve is being open to release the gas to avert another explosion while fire fighters are blanketing the whole area.
“Part of the disaster loses are two bungalows, four different storey buildings consisting of one school, one hotel, one creative center and one residential building, 24 Shops, a Gas Station, a Gas tanker truck, a Pick up van and a Tricycle were affected.”