Residents flee as Lagos pipeline fire rages

 

Hmmmmm most residents of Ijeododo in Ijegun, Lagos have fled the community following a pipeline explosion and the inferno in the village, located in Ojo Local Government of the state. The NNPC  pipeline exploded on Monday night  in the community.

 As at 9.15pm on Tuesday, no casualty had been reported in the explosion said to have been caused by suspected pipeline vandals.

The incident might worsen the fuel scarcity in the South-West as the pipeline transports petrol

pumped from Atlas Cove. NNPC had discontinued supply of petrol through the line following the explosion. The corporation pumps about 11 million litres of petrol per day through the pipeline.

News Agency of Nigeria reported that fire fighters arrived the scene four hours after the fire started but could not immediately access the area.

The spokesman of National Emergency Management Agency  Mr.  Ibrahim Farinloye, said, “We contacted the fire fighters though they could not get to the scene because of the nature of the area.

“We also contacted officials of the NNPC who have blocked all the outlets, which is why the fire is subsiding.”

Farinloye spoke as residents of  Ijeododo recounted their experiences of the explosion.

Mr. Sunday Obiase, a dispatch rider, told NAN that he was in his wife’s shop when they noticed the fire.

Obiase said when the fire was noticed, people began to flee their homes as its intensity grew.

A landlord, Mr Sabinus Igbozuluke, said, “I gathered my certificates and other important belongings because the fire could get beyond control.”