Midnight Inferno: Ibadan Community Rocked By Deadly Gas Tanker Blast

Panic swept through the Bioku-Alaadun Area of Ibadan on Friday night after a devastating gas explosion erupted while a tanker was discharging liquefied gas into a retail outlet, leaving several people feared dead and properties destroyed.

The blast, which struck without warning, sent residents running for safety as flames surged across the vicinity. Witnesses said the fire spread rapidly, trapping the owner of the gas shop and others who were nearby when the explosion occurred.

The explosion sparked a massive blaze that lit up the night sky, damaging surrounding homes and businesses and forcing families to flee into the streets.

Confirming the incident, the General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Mr. Yemi Akinyinka, said emergency responders were still on the ground battling the fire and assessing the scale of casualties.

“Our men are there; they are still working. Yes, the incident happened. They were discharging gas, and there was an explosion. Information on the casualties is still being gathered,”
Akinyinka told Global Mirror News.

Authorities say investigations are underway to determine whether safety lapses led to the explosion, a frequent concern in residential areas where gas outlets operate in close proximity to homes.

Further updates are expected as emergency teams complete their assessments.