April 01, (THEWILL) – An explosion at Archers Gas limited, Amuwo Odofin Industrial Estate, Lagos, has left at least one person dead and three others severely injured.
A resident source in the area, Wasiu Alabi, said the incident happened on Thursday night.
“On the fateful day, I was in my shop in company with some customers when all of a sudden, we heard a loud bang, like the sound of a bomb and everybody ran for safety.
“We saw fire engulfed Archers’ gas company. I knew that there must be casualties and I thought it would be more than what we saw when we arrived at the scene. I thank God that the casualty figure is not more than one, but I am afraid with the conditions of the three others who were injured.
“Hassan Usman died on the spot, while three others suffered serious fire burns. The injured were rushed to the hospital.
“I want to appeal to the State Government and authorities concerned to look into the issues of siting gas stations in residential areas. This is too bad. We should thank God that the explosion did not occur in the daytime. If it had happened in the daytime, especially when customers were buying gas, it would have been more disastrous”, he said.
A senior police officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity at the Area E Command, Festac, confirmed the incident.
“Yes ,there was a gas explosion at Archers Gas limited.
“At about 11pm, on the last day of March. One Bode Adelu, Personal Assistant to the managing director of the company at 19B Amuwo Odofin Industrial Estate, came to our Station in company with Obatade Wasiu, who is also the factory manager of the company to report that there was an explosion in the company.
“They reported that one person is dead, three others injured, while property worth several millions were destroyed. The complaints told us that the injured were rushed to Awesome Hospital, Mushin.
“Immediately we got the report, our DPO, CSP Gboyega Balogun, led a team of policemen to the scene where necessary things were done and the body of Usman was evacuated and taken to Mainland Hospital Mortuary for autopsy. I won’t tell you lies, we are yet to determine the cause of the explosion. We are Investigating.”
