Gas explosion kills 3 in Edo state

– A gas cylinder exploded in a community in Edo state killing three people 
– The gas cylinder reportedly exploded at about 7am on Sunday morning, July 17 
– Residents were in the process of disposing the cylinder, when it caught fire and engulfed the building

Ikpoba-Okha local government area of Edo state was thrown into confusion recently as a gas explosion ripped the early morning silence apart. 

Disaster struck on Sunday as at least three people were reportedly killed and injured by the gas explosion. The explosion reportedly occurred after a five kilogram gas cylinder exploded at a residential building in Edo state on Sunday, July 17.

File photo: Gas cylinder explosion kills 3 in Edo state.

The fatal incident occurred at 32, Osazuwa Street, along Agbor road at about 7am. No fewer than three persons, including two children were killed instantly, ten other persons were said to have sustained high degrees of injuries. 

According to The Nation, the fire engulfed residents in the building when a family opened their door to know what was happening outside. 

One of the victims, Ese Egharevba, whose husband and two children were affected, said she was outside when she heard the explosion.

Egharevba said they found the cylinder and took it outside, while her husband called on residents in the building not to strike any match or put their stove on. 

But unknown to them, a family was already cooking inside one of the rooms in the building and when one of their children tried to open the door, fire engulfed the building. 

A teacher, who gave his name as Christian Unuame, said the owner of the cylinder does not live in the building. 

“The cylinder exploded around after 7:00am. We took the cylinder outside and warned everybody not to put on fire. I went to the bathroom to take my bath and some minutes later there was explosion and the building was engulfed by fire.

Nobody in the house uses gas to cook. It was somebody that kept the cylinder in my neighbor’s room. I have finished my youth service and just managing a teaching job,” Unuame stated. 

The deceased include: Favour Okotie, 11, Odion Okotie, 2, and one Augustine, also known as Ebo. 

Meanwhile, a family of six narrowly escaped death on Tuesday, July 5, after their building in Okokomaiko, Lagos state went up in flames at the early hours of the morning. 

According to Vanguard, the fire was said to have been caused by an explosion from a motorbike which was parked inside the building.