Ondo State Governor, Mimiko
There has been a gas explosion in Akure, Ondo State, South West Nigeria, on the night of Saturday December 13.
According Channels Television report, Several people were injured and properties worth millions of naira destroyed by the disaster.
The gas explosion gave residents a big scare, as they initially thought it was a bomb blast.
Channels Television learnt that there was a loud explosion from a gas depot located in the area and as a result, several houses, shops and cars nearby were burnt.
Eyewitnesses who spoke to us at the scene of the incident complained that men of the State Fire Service did not get there on time.
The incident, however, attracted many sympathisers who tried to put out the fire hours before the arrival of fire servicemen.
When the officials came, some protesting residents were seen pelting them with stones and other objects.
The angry mob, mostly youths, protested in the major streets of the city because of the great loss incurred before the intervention of the fire servicemen.
Soldiers from the nearby 32 Artillery Brigade had to be called in to help restore order, so the fire officials could be allowed to do their job.
Wemino Akinkunmi, who spoke in Yoruba in anger, said that the gas explosion started in his presence and lamented the late arrival of the Fire Servicemen, which according to him led to the fire engulfing the whole area.
