A deadly gas explosion in Ajao Estate, Lagos has claimed the life of a father, his daughter said to have recently graduated and others within the vicinity. Witnesses could not immediately place the casualty figure but they recall hearing a loud bang from a gas shop off Asa Afariogun Street, a popular and busy street in the Estate.

The explosion also consumed vehicles in the vicinity and part of a neighbouring private school, Gbolahun Preparatory School.

“I heard a loud noise and immediately balls of fire everywhere. The gas shop was among the many shops lining the street and all the people in the immediate vicinity were burnt. I can’t say how many but a father and his daughter were among. A tailor whose shop was near the gas shop also died. Cars were burnt and part of the school building was damaged,” a terrified witness identified simply as Emma Political Economist.

Fire fighters and security men had since moved into the area to arrest the fire and restrain any form of pandemonium.

Recall that a similar gas explosion occurred in Palmgrove area of Lagos recently.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has said that a man lost his life while three adults were injured in the Palmgroove Estate explosion.

LASEMA Director-General, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who confirmed the accident on Monday, said that the three injured people had been hospitalised.

Oke-Osanyintolu said that LASEMA received emergency call at about 6:p.m. on Monday that a gas explosion had occurred at 13C Palmgroove Estate, Cappa Avenue in Lagos.

According to him, upon arrival at the scene of incident, a gas cylinder used in filling an outdoor air conditioner split unit of a storey building got exploded as a result of gas leakage from the cylinder.