There were fears among traders of Owode-Onirin market, along Mile 12 Ikorodu Road, Lagos, after 11 persons, including a pregnant woman, fainted after inhaling suspected poisonous fumes from substance that exploded at a section of the area Wednesday evening.
It was gathered that the fume emanated from a refuse fire set by one Emily Patrick, oblivious of the inherent danger from the debris.
Some of the victims as gathered were still under intensive care at Burns and Trauma Centre, Gbagada General Hospital and the Accident and Trauma Centre, Toll Gate axis.
On hand to avert damage and loss of life were officials of Lagos state government who responded to the distress call as confirmed by the Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr. Rasaq Fadipe, and General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Mr. Michael Akindele.
Fadipe, while reacting to the explosion, said 11 persons were affected by the toxic fumes.
He, however, did not disclosed if any of the firemen deployed to the scene were hospitalized.
According to him, “Seven out of the cylinders exploded and unleashed havoc on the residents. We attacked the fire professionally, bearing in mind that the area is surrounded by iron scrap markets and residential area and if not quickly quenched could lead to disaster.”
“Firemen that responded to the distress call upon reaching the scene after inhaling the poisonous gas also felt unconscious. Quite a number of passersby were also affected,” Fadipe said.
On his part, Akindele said: “We gathered that the gas emission was caused as a result of a burning bush around the area which later spread into the inner part of the market. In the process, the fire spread into an area where there were combustible materials.
-Emmanuel Ikechukwu
