A devastating gas explosion on Friday night in the Idi-Iroko area of Amuloko, within the Ona-Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State, has claimed three lives and caused extensive property damage worth millions of Naira. The catastrophic blast sent residents and passers-by fleeing in panic as flames engulfed the area.
Preliminary reports indicate that one of the victims was the owner of the tank farm where the incident occurred, while the identities of the other two individuals have yet to be confirmed. Sources revealed that the victims’ bodies were severely burnt, making identification extremely challenging.
The explosion happened during the offloading of 15 tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from a gas tanker, registration number LSR 268 YC, into a gas skid tank. Witnesses described a sudden, deafening blast followed by a massive fire. Mr. Kayode Ademola, who witnessed the incident, recounted, “Although we cannot say exactly what triggered the explosion, there was a loud blast followed by a massive fire. Passers-by and workers at the tank farm ran for safety, but unfortunately, three people were caught in the fire and did not survive. In addition to the fatalities, valuables, including sections of residential buildings, were destroyed.”
Confirming the tragic event, Moroof Adebayo Akinwande, Special Adviser to the Governor on Fire Reform and Chairman of the Fire Services Agency, noted that the explosion also damaged two tankers and a residential building. He added that the three recovered bodies were handed over to policemen from the Akanran Division, with the operation carried out jointly with the Federal Fire Service, Ibadan Command.
The incident has sparked renewed calls for stricter adherence to safety regulations in the handling and storage of gas. Akinwande emphasised the importance of obtaining proper approval from the Fire Service, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), and other relevant authorities before installing gas tanks or cylinders. He also assured residents that all necessary fire safety measures had been put in place and that an investigative team would be deployed to determine the cause of the explosion and prevent future tragedies.
The Ibadan community is now left grappling with the aftermath of this catastrophic event, mourning the loss of lives, and facing the task of rebuilding damaged properties. Authorities continue to investigate the incident, urging vigilance and compliance with safety standards to avoid further disasters.