A late-night gas explosion at Idi-Iroko in the Amuloko area of Ona-Ara Local Government, Oyo State, has claimed no fewer than three lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
The incident, which occurred on Friday night, reportedly happened when a gas tanker was transferring its content into a gas skid tank at a local tank farm. The resulting blast was so intense that three victims were burnt beyond recognition.
Confirming the incident, the Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Fire Reform and Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Moroof Akinwande, said three lives were lost to the explosion.
According to him, the disaster occurred when a gas tanker with registration number LSR268YC, loaded with 15 tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), exploded during the transfer of its content into the facility’s storage tank.
“The blast damaged two vehicles and a residential building. Three persons were recovered and handed over to a team of policemen from Akanran Division,” Akinwande stated.
He added that the rescue operation was jointly carried out by officers from the Oyo State Fire Service and the Federal Fire Service, Ibadan Command.
Akinwande used the opportunity to warn business operators and homeowners against installing gas tanks or cylinders without proper approval. He stressed the need for clearance from the Fire Service, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), and other stakeholders to prevent avoidable tragedies.
He assured the affected community that all necessary fire safety protocols had been activated, and a formal investigation team would be dispatched to determine the root cause of the incident.
The probe, he said, is aimed at preventing future occurrences and ensuring stricter compliance with safety regulations in gas handling and storage across the state.
