Ololade Adeyanju/
Two people were reportedly burnt to death, while another victim sustained 70 degree burns in a pipeline explosion at Gloryland Estate, Isheri Olofin, along Isheri-Igando-LASU Expressway in Lagos this morning.
Nosa Okunbor, Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said the injured victim had been taken to Igando General Hospital for treatment.
“What we gathered from bystanders was that the victims were performing spiritual cleansing when the fire met them there and burnt them but the pastor ran away,” Okunbor further disclosed.
Reports say the explosion which occurred at about 8am sent residents of the estate and the adjoining Diamond Estate scampering to safety.
Some residents were said to have fled their homes in their night wears when the explosion began.
Cars reportedly bumped into each other as some residents tried to drive their vehicles out of the estate.
A resident who spoke with NewsmakersNG said they believed the explosion was caused by vandals because they had been perceiving strong smell of petrol in the estate as early as 6am before the explosion occurred.
Director-General of LASEMA, Femi Oke-Osanyintolu said emergency responders have been deployed in the scene.
“There is an outbreak of fire at the back of Diamond Estate along Isheri/Lasu -Igando Road. I suspect that the fire must have been caused by pipeline vandalism. I have activated Lagos State Response Plan. All key stakeholders have moved to the scene,” he said
See video of the incident shared on Twitter by an eyewitness: