The Zonal head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, has confirmed that five persons, including a 10-year old boy and a woman, lost their lives following an explosion at an industrial gas retailing outlet in Ladipo Spare Part Market, Lagos.
In a statement in Lagos, Farinloye said the cause of the explosion, at a shop located at 33/35 Ojekunle St. Ladipo Spare Part Market, Lagos was yet to be ascertained.
But the shop, he disclosed, had several industrial gas cylinders used for welding purposes.
According to him, his agency, the Lagos State Fire Service, Police Disaster Management Unit and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency contained the fire arising from the gas explosion as soon as they arrived there.
He said investigation by NEMA showed that the shop was earlier sealed because the side of the street was dedicated as mechanic village, which was not accessible to other users.
The seal and lock were removed before the unfortunate incident took place, he said.
Earlier, the Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye had in an ‘Emergency Alert’ stated that those that died in the explosion were three males.
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is currently attending to a Gas Explosion at 21, Ojekunle Street, Ladipo, Mushin Lagos.
“The Gas incident which was reported at 08:42 hours Tuesday morning via the State emergency reporting platform was swiftly responded to by a combination of the State first and secondary responders.
“On arrival at the scene, it was discovered that it is an open space used for several activities including a beer parlour, mechanic workshop, spare parts sale and gas shop amongst others while housing a makeshift structure.
“Three male adults had been recovered as rescue and recovery operations continue in an environment isolated from causing any further secondary incident.
“Preliminary investigations to establish the fact of the incident continue and further discovery will be made public.”