By Our Correspondent
Five persons, including a four year-old girl, sustained severe burns today in a gas explosion which rocked Warri, the headquarters of Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
The wounded four-year old girl was identified as Favour Ebatefa while the in-law was identified as Mrs. Ogenemine Sunny. Three other children of Ebatefa sustained varying degrees of injuries.
It was learnt that a deadly explosion had rocked a two- bedroom apartment of the victims located along Okere-Ugborikoko Road, in the oil city.
The explosion, which occurred at about 6.40 a.m, threw residents into confusion and panic, especially since the incident trailed Sunday’s bus fire in Effurun, the headquarters of Uvwie Local Government of the state, in which no fewer than 13 persons were killed.
The ill-fated bus was on the fleet of the Delta Transport Company, an agency operated by Delta State Government, before tragedy occurred on Sunday.
Eyewitness told our correspondent that explosion rocked the scene moment after the head of the home, simply identified as Mr. Jonathan Ebatefa lighted the gas cylinder in the kitchen of the family residence.
The source said the resultant explosion instantly uprooted the iron door on the entrance into the house as well as the burglary proof.
The impact severely injured Ebatefa, 40 and other members of his household.
Medical practitioners were battling hard to save the life of Ebatefa, 40 years and other members of the family at various hospitals in Warri metropolis.
Speaking with National Reformer, wife of the main victim, Mrs. Rukevwe Ebatefa, said the incident occurred shortly after the family’s morning prayer when her husband went into the kitchen to lit the gas cylinder.
“My husband filled our gas cylinder on Monday night but we could not use it because it developed fault. We wanted to put it to use again this morning and the same problem repeated itself. My husband went into the kitchen to fix it but the next thing we heard was an explosion, she added.
Warri Area Commander, Mr. Rabiu Hussaini, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, confirmed that the explosion was as a result of gas and pleaded that the incident should not be blown out of proportion
“I sent my men there and the preliminary investigation revealed it was a gas explosion. Please Journalists should not sensationalize the incident to cause panic and tension in the area,” he said.
