The early morning gas plant explosion which rocked Lagos on Thursday has killed eight people; burned and injured 37 others; and destroyed 25 houses and 16 lock up shops.
Director General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who declared this at the scene of the explosion, added that 3 vehicles and 3 motorcycles popularly called Okada were also razed.
This explosion, which occured at a gas station in Baruwa area of the metropolis, came barely two weeks after the Ajuwon Iju Isaga gas explosion that killed more than two and injured 40 people.
According to reports, the explosion occurred around 5.44am at Best Roof Gas Station located at Unity bus stop, Fatade area of Baruwa in Alimoso Local Government Area of the State.
“We do not know who dies who lives for now and it will be after the fire is extinguished totally before these can be determined,” a eyewitness has earlier told this online newspaper.
The fire started around 5.44am with smoke engulfing the whole of this area, and people were shouting, running helter-skelter,” she added.
But Oke-Osanyintolu said that so far, eight bodies (corpses) have been recovered, 10 houses were badly razed, three vehicles and Okada were also razed.
“A lot of those who died were burnt beyond recognition. Some have barely woken up when the disaster occcured while other were trapped while sleeping inside their bedrooms. It is so disheartening to say the least,” Rasaki Akinsanya, who witnessed the explosion told Platforms Africa.
As at the time of this report, officials of the Lagos State Emergency Maintenance Agency (LASEMA) have been contacted.
