LAGOS, Dec 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Residents of the Gloryland Estate in the Isheri-Olofin, Igando area of Lagos State were thrown into panic as a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation exploded in the area.
The fire, which started around 7.45am, was said to have killed one person, injured one other and burnt bridges made of planks in the area before the intervention of emergency management workers.
A man, who sustained 99 degree burns died on the spot, the second victim was said to have sustained about 70 per cent burns and was admitted to the Igando General Hospital for treatment.
Men of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Rapid Response Squad and policemen from surrounding divisions were said to have responded to the disaster.
Local media reported that suspected vandals had ruptured the NNPC pipeline and siphoned fuel for several days before the explosion on Thursday.
It was learnt from residents that those caught up in the inferno were having a spiritual bath around a stream in the area.
It was gathered that the men, who were not aware that petrol from the vandalised pipeline had flowed into the stream, lighted a candle and were engulfed in flames.
A resident said, “The pastor was conducting cleansing for his members in the stream, not knowing that petrol had flowed into the water.
“Immediately they lit a candle for the cleansing, the whole place was engulfed in fire. The pastor escaped, but the members were not so lucky.”
A police source said pipeline vandalism appeared a popular venture among the residents of the area, adding that sacks used to convey stolen fuel were recovered in the bush.
“That place is where they siphon fuel regularly. The residents cannot say they don’t know what is happening. We found kegs and sacks. Inside the sacks were nylons, where they pour the fuel. They use the sacks to conceal and convey the fuel,” he added.
The Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Nosa Okunbor, confirmed one death, adding that the second victim was in a critical condition.
The Public Affairs Officer of the Lagos State Fire Service, Jamiu Dosumu, said two fire stations deployed men in the scene to extinguish the fire.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Bala Elkana, said a pastor and one other suspect, identified as Smart Adeyemi, had been arrested.
Elkana said that the pastor had denied knowledge of the activities of vandals in the area, but when his premises were searched, kegs of stolen fuel were recovered.
He said the second suspect, Adeyemi, claimed that he came from Ikorodu with nine others to siphon fuel in the area.
The PPRO stated, “The man said 10 of them came to Ikorodu to siphon fuel. He said the nine others might be trapped. Since the fire had not been completely extinguished; we don’t know their fate. Maybe when the fire finally goes off, we will search for them.
“We found the fowl that the victims brought for the cleansing. They were in their white garment when they were caught by the fire. They were said to have fasted for some days before going for the exercise.” — NNN-AGENCIES
