15 injured in Lagos gas tanker explosion

At least 15 persons were injured in a gas tanker explosion on Thursday in Ifako-Ijaiye local government area of Lagos State on Thursday.

The Acting Zonal Coordinator, South West Zonal Office, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the incident to journalists in Lagos.

He said several properties including vehicles were razed by the ensuing inferno.

The incident occurred just 24 hours after more than 20 persons were killed in fuel tanker explosion in Kogi State.

Farinloye said the Lagos incident occurred at 3:05 p.m., when the gas tanker which was trying to enter a gas plant in the area suddenly went up in flames.

He said: “16 vehicles, two tricycles, two gas tankers, an event centre, and one church building were destroyed.

READ ALSO: One dies, 15 injured in Lagos fuel tanker fire (Video)

“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 persons that were critically injured have been referred to the General Hospital. Three others 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 (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire Service, the Police, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to the scene of the incident.

“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,” he added.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now