An illegal dump site where petroleum products are produced located within a mechanic village at the Mile 2 area of Lagos exploded Tuesday killing two persons.
The site which is co-located with the Nigerian Army Signal Barracks, Mile 2, plays host to all kinds of illegal activities.
It was learnt that several petroleum tank drivers lift products from the site.
The illegally cooked petroleum products, mainly diesel commonly described among dealers as “Rice and Beans” is old at the site.
It was learnt that the explosion occurred from a tanker loaded with 33,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO.
The explosion claimed the lives of two persons and left many injured while several other takers also went up in flame as a result of the explosion.
An eye witness had it that it occurred at about 3.35 pm, while the product was being offloaded from a truck, into drums.
Another had it that the explosion occurred barely one hour after a helicopter was sighted hovering around the garage.
One Adamu Ayuba said: “We heard an explosion right inside that garage. We all ran at first, thinking it was a terrorist attack. But when we saw the thick smoke and balls of fire, we all regrouped but could not help the situation because the fire was too much and there was a truck loaded with Diesel at the entrance.
The Public Relations Officer of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the South-West Region, Ibrahim Farinloye, said rescue team from the Nigerian Army, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (KASEMA), Federal and State Fire Service were on the ground to fight the fire.