No fewer than 20 persons, including a pregnant woman, four children, and a couple, are critically injured following a gas explosion in the Orazi axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon near a densely populated area in Orazi called ‘Big Tree’ as many of them suffered severe burns and were rushed to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt
Our correspondent gathered that the victims included residents and some passers-by as the sound of the explosion shattered the area, causing pandemonium.
It was learnt that the explosion occurred in a gas refilling shop when a technician who runs the place was said to be fixing a faulty cylinder.
Immediately, the cylinder exploded, it affected other cylinders inside the shop, triggering multiple explosions, even as the welder was the first victim.
It was further gathered that the resulting fire affected some surrounding buildings as most of the occupants fled for their lives, even as firefighters who later arrived had a hectic time before putting out the inferno.
Speaking to newsmen, a relative of one of the victims who did not want his name in print said the owner of the shop has been selling gas for years now.
He said his in-law and her husband, who were affected in the explosion, were rushed to the hospital for treatment, lamenting that they have spent over N500,000 already.
He stated in an emotion-laden voice, “I was just called in the evening about the incident because my sister-in-law and the husband are involved. When my wife picked the call her countenance changed immediately.
“So I asked what happened. She said it was a gas explosion and that her sister is at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. I lost my appetite and immediately drove to the hospital. I know how Orazi is. there are many shops scattered all over just for people to survive.”
While hinting on the cause of the incident, the relative said, “But there is somebody who also refills their cylinders. He has been there for some time now and he is also doing welding work.
“Sometimes you will see him welding perforated cylinders without following the normal procedure. Maybe he feels that because the cylinder is empty you can carry out any work but it is not done that way.
“So as a result of that the gas exploded and affected the cylinders inside. The other families affected were my brother-in-law, the wife, their two children and himself. They just came back from evangelism.
“They just branched to say hi and that was how they joined. One of my uncles was just passing by and stopped to greet his two grandchildren with him. He too was affected. That was how it happened.
“They are all at the intensive unit taking treatment. So far about N500, 000 has gone for drugs and other treatment. We are not talking about the children. We are running my uncle’s expenses while some other person is running that of the children. It is quite unfortunate what we are seeing this January.”
Another source who called a Radio Station on Sunday evening to report the incident said a pregnant woman was affected in the explosion, saying, It caused a huge fire, burning houses too,
“About 20 people were burnt, but no death. Let the government come to their aid because this is the beginning of the year,” he pleaded.
When contacted, spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the incident, saying 18 injured persons are receiving treatment in the hospital.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police in her account said a welder was repairing a fridge and was carrying to refill gas on the fridge when the incident happened, describing it as sad.
She stated, “Yes I can confirm the incident. It was a technician repairing a Fridge carrying a gas cylinder to weld the fridge when it exploded.
“18 persons were injured but no life was lost. The man himself was injured. They are all in the hospital receiving treatment. We (the police) have commenced an investigation to find out more.”
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