The Director General Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA),
Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, says 17 people died and 25 others were injured in the Abule-ado fire explosion on Sunday morning.
Mr. Oke-Osanyintolu has promised a full scale investigation into the cause of the explosion that resulted in the destruction of over 70 houses within a large expance. He has also asked residents of Abule-Ado to remain calm and shun fake news concerning the explosion while investigations are on to determine the real cause.
In his words, “We the LASEMA Response Team arrived at the incident scene and it was discovered that a raging fire had displaced several residents who fled their abodes for fear of being caught up in the inferno.
“The primary cause of the explosion is yet unknown.
“There are a number of secondary explosions which have caused significant damage to multiple buildings including the levelling of a Church to the ground and the destruction of St. Margaret’s Girls Hostel.
According to him, recovery and rescue activities are being carried out by joint efforts from the Ministry of Special Duties, LASEMA, Lagos State Fire Service crew, Federal Fire Service Department, Safety Commission, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and other first responders.
The Principal of Bethlehem Girls College, Abúlé Ado near Festac Town in Lagos, Reverend Sister Henrietta Alokha, was reportedly killed in the explosion that produce shock waves felt in festal town, Amuwo- Odofin and surrounding areas destroying everything in its path.
Reports say the Reverend Sister was rescuing her students when the roof fell on her in the process.
In the mean time, President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday condoled with families who lost their loved ones and all those affected by the explosion in Abule Ado, Amuwo Odofin local government area of Lagos state.
President Buhari, in a statement issued by his media aide, Garba Shehu, said a misfortune of whatever scale anywhere is a tragedy for the country.
The President also commiserated with the Lagos State Government and all residents affected by the unfortunate incident, which left many injured and destroyed property. “I have received with sadness the news of this unfortunate incident which has devastated residents of Abule ado.
While the NNPC makes efforts to determine the cause of the incident, I send my deepest and profound sympathises to the victims, their families, government and people of Lagos State,”.
It’s not the first time that fire incidents have happened in Abule Ado. Reports show that there has been actions by the government that however fell short of preventing a reoccurance.
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