Recall, On Thursday a gas tanker went up in flames at the Iju- Ishaga Area of Lagos, and at the time of the filing of the reports, the incident was still a bit sketchy.
However, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, Director-General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed the incident saying efforts are being made by his men to put out the resulting fire from the explosion with support from the Lagos State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
According to LASEMA findings, an unknown truck conveying gasoline had a lone accident and exploded.
“The impact of the explosion led to a fire on adjoining buildings and several vehicles burnt,”
“Several persons were injured and have been taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.”
Speaking at the site on Thursday, Engr Olatunde Akinsanya, Director of LASEMA, stated that at 16 persons have been confirmed to be critically injured and taken to the Iju Water Works clinic.
Narrating the incident, Akinsanya said that
The tanker was supposed to off load its content at a gas station, but the station’s owner reportedly refused to allow him because a seal had been broken, indicating that the content had been tampered with.
Enraged by the refusal of the station manager to off load the content in his tanker, the driver moved out of the premises.
A few meters away from the gas station, the front tire of the tanker burst and the gear box struck the ground causing a spark which led to an explosion when it came in contact with gas that was leaking from the tanker.
The vehicle ended in a ditch, where a second explosion erupted.
Eyewitnesses told Channels Television that the second explosion sent the tanker flying and destroying buildings in its path, including a church.
The impact of the explosion spread about 300 radii from the scene of the incident according to reports.
