Photo: Unrelated photo of a gas explosion
A private petrol and gas facility, Fonex Gas Station, has been razed by an explosion on Edibe Edibe Street in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State, leaving several residents severely injured and properties destroyed.
The explosion, which occurred on Saturday, completely engulfed the station, consuming its fuel and gas storage tanks as well as vehicles parked within the premises.
Located in a densely populated neighbourhood of Calabar, the blast also damaged nearby shops and buildings, forcing residents and business owners to flee for safety.
Several victims sustained serious injuries in the incident. While some received first aid at nearby patent medicine stores, others were rushed to hospitals for further medical attention. Emotional scenes were reported as parents searched for their children in the aftermath of the explosion.
As of the time of filing this report, residents said neither the fire service nor security agencies had initially arrived at the scene, creating a vacuum that allegedly allowed hoodlums to loot items from affected shops and the damaged facility.
Eyewitness accounts on the cause of the explosion varied. Some residents speculated that it may have been triggered by a customer using a mobile phone near the gas dispensing area. However, a mechanic working opposite the station, Ekpenyong Sam, attributed the incident to a possible electrical fault or expired equipment within the facility.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Eitokpah Sunday, said officers had been deployed to the scene. He added that efforts were ongoing to mobilise fire service personnel, including support from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, to contain the situation.
The incident comes amid recent reports of a similar gas-related explosion in the Ajah-Sangotedo area of Lagos, where a tanker collision reportedly claimed lives and destroyed properties.
