Ebun Olowu
About 16 persons were injured and several cars and property destroyed following a gas tanker explosion on Thursday, September 24, 2020 around Ajuwon-Iju-ishaga road, in Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The acting coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, who confirmed the incidence, said the explosion occurred at 3.05 p.m. when the gas tanker, which was trying to enter Cerato Gas Plant located in the area, suddenly went up in flames. The impact of the explosion led to a fire at adjoining buildings and many vehicles were burnt.
He said: “16 vehicles, two tricycles, two gas tankers, an event centre and one church building was destroyed.
“Also damaged were: a block industry and an attached office, a cement store and a sawmill and several stores where building materials are being sold. The people injured were immediately taken to the Water Works Clinic. 15 people were admitted there.
“Two that were critically injured have been referred to the General Hospital. Three are presently on admission and are being observed. The remaining 10 had minor injuries and have been discharged.”
Farinloye said NEMA promptly alerted other emergency responders including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Fire Service, the Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“The response was swift and the fire has been extinguished. Some of the injured persons told us that they immediately jumped into a nearby canal which was filled with water as it rained today. That is one of the major reasons that there was no fatality,” he said.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1309420023577018374
Explosion around Iju ishaga – Ajuwon Road. God have mercy pic.twitter.com/1LriJSsiRC
— DDee® (@adedolapodeji) September 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/i/status/1309202858684739584
