Lagos: 5 killed in Baruwa gas explosion

At least five persons have been killed in an explosion at a gas station sited near a primary school in Baruwa.

Baruwa is located in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The explosion, according to reports, occurred at Best Roof Cooking Gas around 5:45 am on Thursday.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the tragedy “is a sign that the stricter rules we are implementing for gas and other petroleum operators need to be widespread and implemented faster”.

But he said nothing about banning the epidemic of gas and petrol stations within densely-populated areas of the state.

Earlier, The Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said:

“The explosion occurred and the agency activated a response plan.

Initial disaster assessment is as follows: casualties still being assessed but five fatalities have been identified so far. 25 houses that are mostly bungalows, 16 lock-up shops, and one primary school have been affected.

“Firefighters and rescue workers are operating at the incident scene. Gas emission has been identified and curtailed. Damping down is ongoing.

“Post-disaster assessment will be carried out and further updates provided.”