Goods worth millions of naira were yesterday [Saturday]
destroyed as a result of explosion from a gas retail shop along Arakale road,
in Akure, the Ondo state capital.
Arakale is a populated area and mostly occupied by the Igbos
from the east who trade in various businesses including building materials and
electronic appliances. Eyewitness said that the explosion occurred around 6:30 pm
and spread to shops including residential areas within the vicinity.
Our correspondent who visited the scene reported that a
heavy odor was oozing out of the gas tank while it consumed fire. Several shops and houses were burnt beyond recognition.
A white Toyota Sienna vehicle parked in front of a shop at
the scene was also burnt while its owner watched helplessly.
The incidence sent panic to residents as many who scampered
for safety were badly injured.
No death had been recorded.
It was also gathered that the gas tank was placed in an
unauthorized location in the area.
Residents and traders disclosed that all effort to get
government attention to ensure the owner of the business relocate his tank from
the area proved negative.
Narrating the incidence, a resident and trader in the area,
Miss Ikechi Ayanwu said
“We were standing outside the house which is close to the shop when we heard a loud noise. It was a gas explosion. Initially, we thought it was a bomb because of its sound.
“The gas tank was refilled this evening but not knowing it was leaking and it just exploded after it has been exposed to the air for a long time”, she said.
Although, men of the Ondo state fire brigade service failed
to show up at the scene blaming incapacitated vehicles and strike embarked upon
by the workers in the state as the reason behind their action. But their counterpart from the Federal Airport Authority of
Nigeria later surfaced, three hours after the incidence and quenched the fire
heavy damages have already occurred.
It took the combined effort of policemen and soldiers who
came to the scene at a late hour to arrest the situation from preventing
hoodlums who attempted to hijack the situation to steal and caused further
troubles.
A trader, Emeka Amadi, who lost all his goods to the
explosion expressed sadness over the incidence and cried out for help.
“I sell building materials and as a result of this fire my goods worth millions of naira have been destroyed. I don’t even know where to start again. This is saddened at this festive period. I need urgent help”.
Speaking to our correspondent at the scene, Mr. Aina
Adebola, the Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society in Ondo state said his
members rushed to the scene after they were alerted of a fire our outbreak in
the area.
“There was an outbreak of fire and buildings were destroyed. All we have gotten is small injuries and bruises. We have given first aids attention but major causalities cannot be determined yet”, he said.
Doctors at the state specialists hospital said several
persons who got injured as a result of the fire incidence were rushed into the
hospital and have been receiving treatment.
They added that those whose conditions were critical have
been rushed to the trauma Centre in Ondo for further treatment.
Credit: Celebrity Gist.com
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