Gas Explosion Rocks Lagos Again

In the wee hours of Thursday, October 8, residents of Candos Road, Baruwa area of Alimosho Local Government area of Lagos State woke up to a rude shock. Those who planned to get prepared for work had to scamper for safety as gas explosion rocked the area leaving eight people dead, scores injured while many properties were damaged.

It was gathered that the blast was due to an LPG tanker that was discharging at the Best Roof Plant Station at the area and generating set was on, which prompted an explosion.
Ibrahim Farinloye, the Acting Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said three persons were rescued while five bodies were recovered from the explosion. The rescued persons, according to the officials, were taken to a hospital after the initial first aid treatment.

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

“At about 20 minutes to 6a.m., at Candos Road, Baruwa Inside, Lagos, a LPG tanker was in the process of discharging at the Best Roof Plant Station and the Station Generator was on and from where it was reported that explosion erupted.

“A source revealed that the Gas plant has about 30 metric tons of gas in the underground tank. While dispense to domestic consumer, it also loads LPG Tanks and it was stated that in the process of loading a tank with its generator working and possibly there could be a leakage which got to the generator,” Mr. Farinloye said.

“The explosion threw the discharging tanker across the road. Many buildings have been destroyed,” the NEMA boss said.

Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, said the agency’s emergency response unit had been deployed in the area, adding that the explosion razed houses, shops, and a primary school. “The explosion occurred and, shortly after that, 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”.
This is coming few weeks after a similar incident at the Ifako/Ijaiye local government area of the state.