Nnewi gas fire: Bodies of mother, baby recovered

The tragic incident, which occurred at a gas plant in Nnewi, near Awka on Thurs­day, has continued to rever­berate, just as its horror has refused to abate.

Yesterday, 24 hours after, the police PRO, Ali Okechukwu, said that two more bodies, a mother and her baby, were later recovered at a nearby building.

Many who had gone to the NAUTH morgue to identify the bodies of their loved ones could not do so because they were burnt beyond recognition.

Meanwhile, the police au­thorities, have faulted earlier casualty figure, which was put at over 100 by the media.

The Anambra command said that eight people died in the explosion, describing as false, the “alarming and misleading figure” of over100.

“After the incident, six per­sons were confirmed dead out­side the perimeter fencing of the company,” he said.

“Two other bodies of a woman and her child were later found dead in an adjourning building.

“Six other persons who were seriously injured were also rushed to the University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, and later referred to the hospital in Enugu.”

He explained that the fire might have occurred at the time when domestic gas was being dispensed to customers.

“I think there was disconnect which led to the explosion,” Okechukwu said.

He said investigation was still ongoing to ascertain the exact cause of the explosion.

He further explained that when the fire sparked-off from one of the nozzles, staff mem­bers and customers were ad­vised to vacate the premises.

Okechukwu said that most of the casualties were motorcy­clists and passersby who rushed to take a glance at the inferno before the explosion took place.

Also confirming the report, the acting director of the state fire service, Innocent Mbonu, said although some nearby buildings were affected, six persons died before the service came.

“Tentative report says the fire, which was extinguished after a fierce battle, was caused by domestic gas explosion which distributed fire to some buildings around,” he said.

The explosion had affected the Inter Corp Oil Limited (LPG Gas Plant), a subsidiary of Chikason Group.

A witness said that the fire was caused by an explosion when a truck was discharging its contents.