*Survivor recounts experience
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said three bodies were recovered from the scene of the explosion on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, around Maryland.
Also, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement, said 13 people were injured while 22 vehicles were burnt in the ensuing inferno.
A leaking tanker conveying gas exploded on Thursday night at OPIC Plaza on Mobolaji Bank-Anthony way around 10;30 pm.
However, one of the survivors of the explosion, who gave his name as Peter said he narrowly escaped from the inferno. According to him, he was sleeping in one of the cars parked in the premises when he felt an usual coldness around his feet.
He said he saw a gas-laden truck in front of the Plaza adding, “Before I could come out of the plaza and cross to the other side of the road, the gas had already filled the whole area. It was so suffocating that it was very difficult for me to navigate my way out of the gaseous environment. The security men were shouting where is Peter? Where is Peter? The way I came out, it was as though angels took me out.
“The fire started shortly after I left. I ran from Maryland to Ikeja to escape. I got to Ikeja before I stopped running. I called Jesus name till I got to Ikeja. I broke down in tears when I got to Ikeja because I know people already died.”
The NEMA statement reads “The Agency responded to a distress call shortly before midnight Thursday concerning an exploding gas tanker which was moving inward Ikeja at the above location.
“The resultant explosion affected the OPIC Plaza leading to an inferno which damaged 22 parked vehicles within the premises.
“First responders worked to control the spread to the adjacent properties as well as the nearby petrol station until 0400hrs Friday.
“Thirteen people were rescued, nine males, four females, they sustained various degree of burns and were provided with pre-hospital care before taking to Lagos State health facilities for further treatment.”
