By Adewale Sanyaolu, Akachi Atuonwu and Chidinma Igwe
A gas explosion from a cooking gas truck with registration number KSF 340 XW yesterday morning razed the Mobil filling station on Awolowo Road, Ikeja, Lagos.
The fire incident which occurred around 11am razed eight vehicles, while two persons got burnt and a building torched.
A visit by Daily Sun to the scene of the fire incident revealed that the area has been cordoned off alongside the eight burnt vehicles.
Policemen from the Ikeja Division were also on ground to wade off hoodlooms who may want to use the opportunity to loot goods and other valuables from the Super mart located inside the filling station.
A victim of the fire incident whose Toyota Sienna car was destroyed by the explosion, Mrs. Temilade Omojola, said she was very close to fuel pump waiting to be served by a fuel attendant when she heard a loud bang from the truck discharging gas.
She said every effort by her to getting closer to her car to get her belonging from the car was prevented due to safety concerns.
Adesina, however, called on the management of 11 Plc to kindly do all it could to ensure that her vehicle is replaced as soon as possible.
Another customer whose Suzuki mini bus, popularly called Korope was destroyed in the fire incident, Mr. Micheal Agbo, corroborated the claims of Adesina, saying a loosed hose from the cooking truck was the cause of the fire incident.
‘‘I have finished buying fuel and was trying to make my way out when I heard a loud bang from the direction of the cooking gas truck. Before I could move ,I just saw the fire moving towards the direction of my bus.I quickly ran for safety to prevent the fire from catching up with me.
Agbo who is a father of five children, said the bus was the only means of his livelihood that pays his children school fees, house rent and feeding.
‘‘Now that the car is gone, what do I do? I am appealing to the management of 11 Plc to kindly help to replace the bus. The cost of this bus is about N3 million. Where do I get that kind of money from in this biting economy?
Also speaking to Daily Sun, a shop owner in the torched building beside the Mobil filling station,Mr.Bisi Ojo, who trades in tyres said he got a distress call around 10am that Mobil filling station was on fire and that by the time he got there, he discovered that the building housing his shop was on fire.
Ojo said, he managed to salvage some of his wares while hoodlums pretending to help him salvage the goods ended up carting away some of his goods.
However, a statement from the Company Secretary of 11 Plc,Mr. Chris -Olumayowa Meseko, said the company is cooperating fully with relevant government agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire. “Additionally, we are assessing the extent of the damage and implementing necessary measures to minimize the likelihood of similar incidents in the future.
“We can confirm that those who suffered injuries have been evacuated to a nearby hospital.
‘‘At 11 Plc, safety is not just a priority, it’s a core value. We are dedicated to ensuring the well-being of our employees, customers, and the public. Our management team is working diligently to address this situation and ensure a swift and comprehensive resolution, reinforcing our commitment to safety,’’