Five persons have so far lost their lives in the gas explosion that occurred on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, in the Maryland area of Lagos State, on Thursday night.
Ibrahim Farinloye, acting zonal coordinator, south-west zonal office, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed the development to NAN.
It would be recalled that 13 persons sustained various degrees of injuries about 25 cars destroyed while Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation Plaza was badly damaged.
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The explosion was said to have been caused by a leakage while liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker was in motion.
Farinloye noted;
The resulting fire travelled with the wind to the premises of Ogun State Property Investment Company (OPIC) Plaza besides Sheraton Hotels, which houses different commercial outfits including a Chinese Restaurant.
He said earlier that three bodies were recovered from the scene of the incident by emergency response agencies.
Farinloye added that 13 persons were injured and were taken to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) but that four of the victims with severe injuries were later transferred to the trauma and burns centre at Gbagada General Hospital.
Sadly, two out of the 13 persons who were rescued and taken to the Trauma and Burns Centre at Gbagada General Hospital, passed on a few minutes ago. his makes it a total of five persons killed in the explosion so far.
Meanwhile, Director-General of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyitolu assured Lagos residents that efforts had been put in place to prevent secondary explosion in the area.
He stated;
Ongoing post-disaster assessment by our responders has unearthed 3 yet-to-be-identified male bodies in the rubble. First responders (LASEMA Respond Unit Fire) have returned to the scene to avert any secondary explosion. Members of the public are encouraged to take alternative routes as much as possible. Further, update to follow.
Read Also: Breaking: Fire Guts Kairo Market In Oshodi, Lagos (Videos)
The incident happened just weeks after fire razed the fabric section of Kairo market in Oshodi, Lagos state.
Although goods worth millions of naira were destroyed in the market fire, no loss of life was recorded.
