Home News Gas explosion claims 8 lives, destroys buildings and properties

Gas explosion claims 8 lives, destroys buildings and properties

by Radarr Africa
Gas explosion claims 8 lives and destroys buildings and properties

Gas explosion claims 8 lives and destroys buildings and properties

Residents in Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos state, rush to safety as another gas explosion occurs early Thursday at 6 am.
According to Lagos State Emergency Agency (LASEMA), the explosion has claimed at least 8 lives, destroyed 25 houses, 16 shops, a nursery and primary school, as well as properties and vehicles, leaving the survivors and residents to pick up the pieces. The explosion was triggered by an LPG tanker that was discharging gas with a generator at the Best Roof Plant Station in Baruwa.
The Acting Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, said three persons were rescued while five bodies were recovered. “The rescued persons were taken to a hospital after the initial first aid treatment”, he said.
He added: “A source revealed that the Gas Plant has about 30 metric tons of gas in the underground link. While dispensing to domestic consumption, 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 a leakage which got to the generator”.
A LASEMA official stated that “the explosion threw the discharging tanker across the road, leading to other series of explosions. The generator and so many other things have been destroyed by the explosion”.
LASEMA further said the gas valve has been opened to release the gas to avert another explosion while firefighters and other officials are covering the whole area.
When asked if it is proper for a gas station to be located within a residential area, the LASEMA official replied that at the last gas explosion at Iju area of Lagos state, he met with the Gas Marketers Association of Nigeria. ” The excuse he gave me was that it is because of the proximity and proximity is not as important as safety. This is the same issue that is repeating itself”.
He said, “The Director-general of NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), will take definite action and will discuss the location of such plant in any residential area because safety is much more important than proximity”.
Finally, he said, “the issue of proximity should not be an excuse”.
A resident stated that ” They have to do something concerning the gas station they are lanting where people are staying. It is very very dangerous. A lot of lives have gone”.

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