The Lagos state government has explained that the fire experienced in Ijegun, a suburb in the state was as a result of pipeline vandals’ activities.
The explosion which resulted in an inferno, has left many people and properties burnt in Ijegun, Ikotun, Lagos State.
The explosion which occurred in the early hours of Thursday saw residents fleeing their homes for safety.
Fire fighters are currently on ground battling the fire caused by pipeline explosion.
An eyewitness, Babajide Lawal, said the noise of the explosion woke residents up in the neighbourhood, adding that casualties have been recorded.
Lawal said, “There is fire incident at Ijegun Last Bus Stop, in fact, no one can move near the place because the whole area is burning. What woke us up was the sound of the explosion and when we came out to observe what happened, we saw the fire burning everywhere.”
Meanwhile, the state government, on twitter explained that the fire was caused by pipeline vandals.
The tweets read:
“A fire incident occurred along the NNPC pipeline at Ijegun on Thursday, 4th July, 2019 at 5 am. The LASEMA Response Team reported that the inferno was as a result of activities of pipeline vandals who were engaged in bunkering.
“It was gathered that the vandals had already siphoned petrol into a 33,000litre tanker. And while a second tanker of the same capacity was being loaded, security agencies suddenly intercepted them
“Subsequently, while trying to escape from the security agencies, some of the siphoned fuel spilled into the drainage and the vandals were alleged to have set the spilled fuel on fire in a bid to prevent the security agencies from apprehending them.
“Thereafter, the fire spread back to the point where the vandals had siphoned the fuel causing explosion which escalated the fire. The actual loss will be determined upon conducting post disaster enumeration after the fire has been put out.
“Responders at the scene include: LASG fire service men, NSCDC, NPF and the Agency’s officials #ForAGreaterLagos #LASG
