Very Loud explosions on Thursday rocked Shagari Plaza of the FCT situated on Moshood Abiola Way, Garki-Area 1, Abuja. Residents and passers-by as well as the customers thought it was a bomb attack as many quickly run for safety.
An eyewitness explained that a jeep parked close to the gas dispenser went up in flames when the first explosion of a gas cylinder exploded at about 5pm.
According to the witness, the gas retailer, who also tried to recover his money kept under one of the cylinders, was also caught in the explosion in an attempt to save his earnings for the day. “He kept it under one of the cylinders. As he was trying to take the money, another cylinder exploded,” another eyewitness said. The retailer was said to be receiving treatments at an undisclosed hospital.
Another witness confirmed it that the retailer took delivery of the gas supply on Wednesday. “They just supplied him the gas yesterday (Wednesday). We are surprised because we still don’t know what happened. We only heard a loud bang,” he said.
However, FCT Police Command allayed fears that it was a terrorist attack. Its Public Relations Officer, Altine Daniel, said that the incident occurred as a result of overheating of cooking gas.
“The situation is calm there; I’m just coming from there now. The explosion was caused by a cooking gas. The man sells cooking gas, and you know the weather is hot. So, I think it was because of the heat. Nobody was injured, no casualty. It was only two vehicles that were parked close to the gas spot that got burnt,” Ms. Daniel said.
Also at the scene are men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, and the Federal Capital Territory Fire Service helping to put out the fire.
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