Ebonyi State Police Command has disclosed that no life was lost in Thursday’s gas explosion in Orokeonuoha Community in Ebonyi Local Government Area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abakiliki on Saturday.
Ukandu, however, said 10 persons suatained various degrees of burns from the explosion.
He noted that the incident occurred in a catering school located in the community.
He said: “The police is aware of the incident and it happened on Thursday.
“The victims were taken to Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.
“At the time the incident occured, there was no record of death.
“There were students in the school, known as Good Shepherd Catering School, Orokeonuoha, when the incident occured.”
Describing the incident as “very unfortunate,” the PPRO said it was alleged that the explosion was caused by a cooking gas cylinder in the kitchen.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi Fire Service added that it did not receive the report of the explosion.
The Chief Fire Officer, Mr Ralph Ibiam, said this while reacting to public outcry that the organisation did not intervene in fighting the fire.
“Nobody called or informed the fire service about the incident,” Ibiam said.
According to him, gas explosions are becoming a trend in the state.
He conveyed his sympathy to the victims and prayed for their quick recovery.
He said fire moves like a wave, hence it is dangerous to take phone calls in fuel stations, kitchen or while charging cellphones with electrical appliances, among others.
“It is not advisable to do so, because fire moves like wave.
“We have received reports on similar incidents.
“We plead with the public to take safety tips seriously to avoid such incidents,” Ibiam said.
