At least, three people were roasted in Thursday night’s gas tanker explosion in front of OPIC Plaza on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja in Lagos.
The inferno also left in its trail devastation of the Ogun State Government-owned OPIC Plaza and vehicles at the car park, Persecondnews reports.
The fire also sent shocks to lodgers at the adjourning Sheraton Hotels.
The blaze which occurred at 10.30pm was, however, put out about 12.30 a.m. by firefighters using five fire trucks from Lagos State Fire Service and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency Response Unit.
Both the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC) have confirmed casualties from the incident.
A statement said: “he Government of Ogun State and the Management of are greatly shocked and saddened by the tragic incident of fire that gutted OPIC Plaza, Ikeja last night.
“From the available preliminary report, I understand that the fire was caused by a fuel tanker that exploded right in front of the Plaza and as a result several persons lost their lives while some persons were seriously injured and are receiving treatment.
“This is very unfortunate. Our sincere condolences to the families of the victims of this fire incident.
“I must commend the efforts of the fire service men who promptly responded when they were called upon last night. We also appreciate the efforts of security officials who did not allow hoodlums to take advantage of the incident.”
The statement signed by Arc. Abiodun Fari-Arole, Special Adviser/Managing Director of OPIC, said the impact of the incident was still being assessed.
“We shall therefore await the report of the investigation into this fire and thereafter take necessary steps.”
Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Acting Zonal Coordinator, South West Zonal Office, NEMA, said the Liquefied Petroleum Gas ( LPG) tanker exploded while on motion at about 10.32 p.m.
“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.
“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.
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