Gas explosion claims three lives in Ibadan
SKAiF NewsNG SNN
By Adeola Badru
A gas explosion on Friday night claimed the lives of three people and destroyed property worth millions of Naira in the Idi-Iroko area of Amuloko, within the Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Residents and passers-by were reported to have fled in panic as the blast erupted.
One of the victims was identified as the owner of the tank farm, while the identities of the other two fatalities had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.
According to sources, the bodies were burnt beyond recognition, making identification difficult.
The explosion was said to have occurred while a gas tanker, with registration number LSR 268 YC and carrying 15 tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), was offloading its contents into a gas skid tank.
A witness, Mr. Kayode Ademola said: “Although we cannot say exactly what triggered the explosion, there was a loud blast followed by a massive fire.
“It happened in the late evening. Passers-by and workers at the tank farm ran for safety. But unfortunately three people were caught in the fire and did not survive.
“In addition to the fatalities, valuables, including sections of residential buildings, were destroyed.”
Confirming the incident, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Fire Reform and Chairman of the Fire Services Agency, Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, stated that three lives were lost.
He said: “It was a gas tanker, registration number LSR 268 YC, loaded with 15 tonnes of LPG, that exploded while transferring the product into a gas skid tank.”
“The blast damaged two tankers and a residential building. Three bodies were recovered and handed over to policemen from the Akanran Division. The operation was conducted jointly with the Federal Fire Service, Ibadan Command.”
“The explosion caused panic among residents, but the prompt arrival of our officers helped bring the situation under control.”
Akinwande emphasised the need for proper approval from the Fire Service, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), and other relevant stakeholders before installing gas tanks or cylinders to prevent avoidable explosions.
He assured the community that all necessary fire safety measures had been implemented and that an investigative team would be deployed to determine the cause of the incident and prevent future occurrences.
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