There was tension yesterday at the Oworoshoki area of Lagos when a refrigerator cylinder exploded causing panic in the vicinity.
Four persons including a baby were injured during the stampede by worshippers who were returning from church. Based on what was gathered, the explosion occurred in a Beer parlor at about 1.00pm.
Crime Watch Today investigation revealed that among the injured persons was a year-old baby who was said to have suffered shock as a result of the loud bang of the explosion.
The blast also affected a hotel located directly behind the beer parlour.
Eyewitnesses said a gas cylinder of a deep freezer suddenly exploded and caused thick fire in the area, which led to fear and apprehension in the neighbourhood.
As stated by sources, all affected victims were rushed to a nearby hospital where they were treated and discharged.
Tajudeen Amao told Crime Watch Today that the explosion destroyed the entire block of shops and partially affected a hotel located behind the beer parlor.
“Those who were injured were seated close to the shop when the explosion occurred. The explosion pulled down the entire walls. Some of the broken blocks fell on the head of one of the victims.
“He was rushed to Afolabi Hospital, where the injury was stitched by the medical personnel on ground,” he also stated.
He explained that the explosion shocked residents of the area which caused the stampede.
This resulted to multiple accidents as drivers hurriedly made U-turns to avoid being trapped in the inferno.
He further disclosed that it was when rescuers arrived that it was discovered that it was a gas cylinder of a refrigerator that exploded.
It was learnt that the Drinking Bar was locked as at the time of explosion.
Policemen from the Anti-Bomb Squad were quickly mobilised to the scene to conduct investigations into the remote cause of the explosion.
A witness disclosed that policemen from Oworo Division have already been positioned around the area to prevent hoodlums from taking undue advantage of the situation.
The witness further disclosed that the casualty figure in the explosion might be high going by the extent of damage to both the hotel and the bar.
The Public Relations Officer of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the South-West Region, Ibrahim Farinloye, who confirmed the explosion through a text message however said only three persons, sustained various degrees of injuries in the explosion.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Fire Service, Razaq Fadipe, also said three persons actually sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, however, said it was not a serious issue as people were made to believe. Lagos did not record any explosion today as being erroneously circulated. Rather it was a minor fire incident that occurred at L&K bus stop Oworo road where a wine shop went up in flames caused by a leaking refrigerator gas cylinder. No causality was recorded.
“People were just panicking because of the loud bang. We have to quickly deploy Anti Bomb Squad to the Place just to assure the people that we are always ready incase of any eventuality. It was a minor incident. It was not explosive from bomb. The Police have taken over the Place to forestall hoodlums from hijacking the situation to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens. I want everybody not to panic but to go about their normal duties as the Police are always on ground incase of any eventuality. Once again, it was not a bomb explosion but from a refrigerator’s cylinder.”