An explosion from a gas store rocked Ojekunle street, in Ladipo, Mushin area of Lagos this morning, with five persons feared dead.
Dozens of persons sustained varying degrees of injuries in the resultant stampede while properties whose monetary value could not be immediately ascertained were also destroyed.
The incident occurred a few minutes after 8 am when traders were just settling for the day’s business in an open space with makeshift structures used as beer parlour, mechanic workshop, spare parts sale and a gas store.
Crime and Court News gathered that a Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG cylinders were being used for auto welding when the explosion was noticed.
So far, three male adults, Mama Funmi and the ten years old have been recovered dead.
While confirming the development, the Acting Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency NEMA, Lagos State Territorial District, Ibrahim Farinloye stated that the female adult was recovered dead while a ten-year-old make survivor died on way to the hospital.
READ ALSO: Price of ‘pure water’ to hit N50 per sachet, Producers alert Nigerians
The female adult was identified as Mama Funmi.
“Altogether, five persons were recovered dead including a 10 years old boy,” he said.
According to the Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margret Adeseye, explained that the incident was reported at about 8.42am, via the State emergency reporting platform.
She stated that, “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue service swiftly responded to the call by dispersing a combination of the State first and secondary responders.
“Three male adults have been recovered as rescue and recovery operations continue in an environment isolated from causing any further secondary incident.
“Preliminary investigations to establish the fact of the incident continues and further discovery will be made public”.
A rescue operation was ongoing at press time.
The scene, 33/35 was said to have been sealed because the side of the street was dedicated as mechanical Village on which no other user was allowed but recently, the seal and lock were said to be removed before the incident occurred