One feared dead, two injured in Ogun gas explosion

By Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

One person feared dead while two others were seriously injured in a gas explosion that occurred around Arigbabu roundabout, Folagbade Ijebu-Ode area of Ogun state on Monday.

Our correspondent gathered that, the incident happened around 8 a.m. along Folagbade road in Ijebu-Ode.

The explosion involved a tricycle, three motorcycles and a Honda SUV.

According to an eye witness, the explosion was caused by gas cylinder belonging to one of the occupants of the tricycle.

The eye-witness explained that, the rider of the tricycle  conveying three occupants parked by the road side, when the owner of the cylinder discovered that gas was leaking from the cylinder.

He said, the tricycle was parked near a faulty car with a radiator problem.

He explained further that, the occupant, in an attempt to fix the leaking cylinder alighted from the tricycle and the explosion was triggered by the heat which emanated from the car whose bonnet was opened.

He disclosed that, the accident involved three people, adding that one of the victims was badly injured.

“The owner of the cylinder had just refilled it with gas and unknown to her, the cylinder was leaking.

“The rider of the tricycle parked by the road side for the woman to fix the leaking cylinder, but unfortunately, there was a car with radiator problem parked nearby.

“The heat generated by the car triggered explosion,” he said.

According to him, the victims who suffered third degree burn were rushed to Ijebu-Ode general hospital, but the hospital refused to treat them and they were taken to an unknown hospital.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Babatunde Akinbiyi confirmed the accident, disclosing that, the tricycle, three motorcycles and a car were burnt.

He added that, the occupants of the tricycle also suffered severe burnt injury and were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Akinbiyi, however, disclosed that, he could not ascertain if anyone died in the explosion.