SAD! 3 dead, 13 injured in OPIC plaza gas tanker explosion- NEMA

25 vehicles parked at OPIC plaza burnt

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that three bodies have so far been recovered from the scene of Thursday night’s gas tanker explosion on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos State

The Acting Zonal Coordinator, South West Zonal Office, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye who disclosed this on Friday said search and rescue is still ongoing from the collapsed buildings.

He said a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker had exploded while in motion at about 10.32 p.m

Farinloye said the fire which started as a result of explosion from a gas tanker moving inward Ikeja travelled with the wind to the premises of Ogun State Property Investment Company (OPIC) Plaza beside Sheraton Hotel, which houses different commercial outfits including a Chinese Restaurant.

The fire also caused panic at Sheraton Hotel, leading to the evacuation of lodgers.

“We have so far recovered three bodies from the incident. The bodies were recovered from the generator house of OPIC Plaza and the restaurant.

“Search and rescue is still ongoing from the collapsed buildings.”

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He said the fire was put out at about 12.30 a.m. after concerted efforts of five fire trucks from Lagos State Fire Service and two trucks from Lagos State Emergency Management Agency Response Unit.

“The initial search and rescue activities revealed that 13 persons sustained various degrees of burns. Out of this, nine are males while four are females,” Farinloye said.

He said the victims were given first aid at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

He said four of them with severe injuries were later transferred to the Trauma and Burns Centre at Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos.

“Preliminary assessment on vehicles damaged indicated that about 25 were destroyed as at now.

“Comprehensive post disaster assessment on the extent of general damages would be done later today,” Farinloye had said.

Director General (DG) LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu said information gathered at the scene revealed the fire started as a result of explosion while the gas tanker was moving inward Ikeja.

“The fire spread to Opic plaza and affected the building and vehicles parked at the car park,” he said.