An early morning explosion at a gas station in Baruwa, Ipaja area of Lagos today may have left at least five people dead and many families homeless.
Community Standard understands that the explosion occurred around 5.44am at Best Roof Gas Station located at Unity bus stop, Fatade area of Baruwa in Alimoso Local Government Area of the State.
No fewer than seven houses were razed by the inferno.
The cause of the explosion is still unknown.
People scamper to safety to avoid being caught up by the raging fire.
The casualty figure is yet to be confirmed at the time of filing this report, but an eye witness said the security man at the filling station was caught in the explosion. Another family living very close to the gas station was also affected.
“Not less than five people may have died but two are confirmed to be critically burnt beyond measure. A kid was even caught unaware with his mother. They have been take away. I doubt if they will survive. Why would we harbour gas or fuel station in a densely populated community like that? May God save us.
“The security man at the station was badly burnt. It’s a terrible situation here,” he said.
However, in a situation report, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, confirmed that four people died in the inferno with several others injured.
“On arrival at the scene of incident it was observed that there was a gas explosion at the aforementioned location.
Further investigation at the scene revealed that the a gas station belonging to Best Roof Cooking Gas exploded by burning buildings around. The cause of the explosion could not be ascertained at the moment.
Unfortunately, Four mortalities were recorded and several others injured. A combined effort of the Agency’s Tiger team, Dolphin team, LRU Fire, LASG Fire Service, NPF, NUPENG, and LNSC are on ground to curtail the spread of the fire to other buildings. Dampening down ongoing.”
