The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has condoles with the families, government and people of Kaduna State over what it described as ‘an unfortunate incident’ of gas explosion that recorded loss of lives, injuries of various degrees and loss of properties.
The shop where the explosion took place stored cooking gas in cylinders used in hospitals, industries and construction companies as well as fire extinguishers.
The DPR North West Zonal Operation Controller, Isa Tafida who spoke with journalists after an assessment tour of the scene of the gas explosion which killed five on Saturday in Kaduna further warned Nigerians of the dances of patronising unauthorised illegal dealers and retailers of petroleum products.
He noted that the facility where the explosion occurred is an illegal gas retailing vendor that engages in illegal storage, decanting and sales of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) also known as cooking gas and acetylene (industrial gases).
He added that the operator of the facility is not known to the department because it is not licensed by DPR.
He assured that the department has been taking regulatory measures by raiding such illegal storage and sales outlets within the zone saying, “Few days ago, the department went on an intensified monitoring where it warned and cautioned the general public on the dangers of patronising illegal operators and also warned such illegal operators to desist from such acts. ”
“The DPR in collaboration with other security agencies will go out to dislodge and dismantle such illegal facilities and will also prosecute the illegal operators,” he added.
He appealed to the general public and the good people of the state to promptly report any illegal facility and operator within their locality to avert the recurence of such ugly incident on order to protect lives and property.
He stressed the imperative of safe handling of gas in order to forestall threats to lives and property.
On his part, the Manager, Total Filling Station which is located opposite the scene of the gas explosion, Jerry Bishop said his office chair left the ground when the explosion took place.
According to him, “When I heard the explosion, I quickly ran out of my office where I met body parts of a boy that was mutilated by the explosion. The boy was said to have been refilling a gas cylinder from a shop across the road.
“We had to use shovels to remove the body parts from the premises of the filling station. There were also body parts scattered on the road. “
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