By Kayode Fasua
No fewer than three persons, including an infant, were yesterday feared killed when a refrigerator gas cylinder exploded in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The explosion, which occurred in the evening, at Oke-Egunya area of the metropolis, was allegedly caused by a technical error on the part of a technician working to repair a faulty refrigerator in the area.
Sources at the scene of the incident told THISDAY that three people died on the spot, while three others, who initially sustained injuries from the explosion, died before a rescue team took them to the hospital for medical attention.
It was gathered that the explosion occurred, when one of the gas cylinders caught fire from a nearby shop where a woman was frying fish.
When contacted, the Director of Fire Services in Ogun State, Mr. Fatai Adefala, who confirmed the incident, however said only three persons died from the explosion.
Adefala said his men, after receiving the distress call, raced to the scene to put out the fire.
“However, three were burnt to death as they could not escape from the explosion.
“We received a distress call at 3:15pm at Oke-Igbore. We learnt it was a spark of fire. On getting there, we discovered it was a gas explosion”.
“What really happened was that they were cooking outside with fire and unfortunately the gas exploded. They were trying to top the gas in the fridge, in the process, it exploded”.
“Three lives were lost, one infant was among them. You know it was those who are living in that house that were affected. It was an ancient building”.
“Our men are still at the incident including other agencies, the Police, DSS and others,” Adefala disclosed.
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses at the scene of the disaster told THISDAY that three others, who initially sustained high degree of injuries from the explosion later died before they could get to the hospital.
Those who died, according to sources at the scene of the explosion included the technician, who was working on the faulty refrigerator, the motorcyclist that brought him, as well as the woman who owned the shop where
the repair was being carried on.
