Tears flowed freely on Tuesday at Ladipo market when the mutilated body of a 10-year-old boy was brought out along with four others at the site of a gas explosion.
The child, simply identified as Lekan, was an apprentice working at a mechanic workshop along Ojekunke Street, Ladipo.
A witness said the deceased had gone to buy gas from the gas station when the explosion occurred.
“The boy was still alive when he was brought out by rescuers from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) but died on the way to Isolo General Hospital,” a mechanic who identified himself as Jimoh said.
The Coordinator of NEMA in the South West Region, Ibrahim Farinloye, said five persons – three males, one female and the boy – died in the explosion.
“So far, the fire has been put out and recovery of bodies is ongoing. The State Fire Service, Police Disaster Management Unit, NEMA and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) are on rescue operations,” he said.
The Director, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margret Adeseye, said the incident occurred around 8.42am and that on arrival at the scene, it was discovered that it was an open space used for several activities – a beer parlour, mechanic workshop, spare parts sale and gas shop amongst others while also housing a makeshift structure.
“Preliminary investigation to establish the cause of the incident continues and further discovery will be made public,” she said.
