Two injured, four trucks destroyed as explosion rocks gas station near RCCG city

Two people were injured, while four stationed gas trucks were destroyed yesterday in a gas explosion near the headquarters of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) city, along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The explosion occurred at Sun Contractor Project Services Limited, a gas plant located in the densely populated Mowe area of Obafemi Owode Local Council of Ogun State.

The explosion, which occurred at about 11:00a.m., caused panic among residents of Redemption city, located close to the company.

It took the combined effort of the operatives of the Federal fire service, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) three hours to put out the fire.

The Guardian learnt that the explosion was triggered when a tanker loaded with gas collided with another tanker within the premises of the plant. Four trucks, including the tanker containing the gas were burnt.

Spokesperson for the Federal fire service, Ogun State Command, Oluwasegun Ayansiji, who confirmed the incident, said : “There was no casualty, but about two people were injured and they have been taken to the hospital.”

Ayansiji said the explosion occurred outside the RCCG camp and not within the church premises as is being speculated.

He said, “The explosion occurred at a gas plant called SUN contractors and it is not inside RCCG as has been speculated, but it is close to RCCG.

“A tanker loaded with gas wanted to offload its product inside the company. As it was trying to reverse to park well so as to offload, it had a collision with some empty tankers parked and this resulted in the explosion.

“At this moment everything is calm and under control. Three empty gas tankers that were parked were burnt in the compound.The explosion happened right inside the compound of the company”.

The zonal coordinator of NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye,  who also confirmed the incident, said no death was recorded in the fire outbreak.

Farinloye said, “The operation just ended a few minutes ago, but nobody died and nobody was injured.”

Also, Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, in a statement, said: “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is presently combating gas Fire at Sun Contractor Project Services Limited, K/m 46 Lagos- Ibadan Expressway, Mowe, Ogun State.

“The fire, which was reported at 11:22 hours, was subdued from causing secondary incidents by the Alausa and Ilupeju fire crews, left four stationed gas trucks severely burnt.

“There was neither case of injury nor death as damping down of the fire has been concluded.

“The area is safe and people can go about their lawful businesses without fear.”

MEANWHILE, Ogun State government has sealed off the plant for further investigation by necessary bodies.

The commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental affairs, Mrs. Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the scene of the incident. 

Guardianng