The explosion and subsequent fire in a warehouse full of fireworks in the Jankara, Idumota area of Lagos Island this morning has claimed one life and wounded 40 others.
The explosion, which occured at about 9 am, whose echo was heard miles away, were initially believed to have affected four buildings, but now, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA has confirmed that one person died from the blast, while 40 others sustained minor injuries. This was confirmed by Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, spokesperson for MEMA, South-West division.
About 10 houses were severely destroyed by the blast as firefighters continued to put out the flames, even as their efforts were hampered by the throngs of onlookers who NEVER learn to vacate the scene of a disaster so that emergency rescue and management teams can do their jobs.
The fire was believed to have started from a warehouse which housed packs of bangers (firecrackers), meant for sale. The explosion ripped through the warehouse, sparking the fire which eventually engulfed the other surrounding houses.
The tightly compacted housing arrangement in the Idumota area, consisting mostly of storey buildings, made sure that house after house went up in flames very quickly.
It's a wonder the casuality figure isn't any higher than it is. A spokesman for NEMA, Yushau Shuaib said many people were injured when they stampeded through the area's narrow alleyways.
Rubble-strewn streets surrounding the burning buildings were covered in the spent shells of fireworks. Several police officers and security officials found large, mortar-like fireworks in the building, the kind wired to explode as part of a large arrangement put on by professionals.
Fireworks - or bangers as we like to call them in this part of the world - are usually used to celebrate yuletide and other festivities in Nigeria. Even though various state and local governments have tried to ban or restrict the use of these 'banging' poppers, they still manage to find their way into homes and the hands of little children, and I daresay adults alike.
It's understandable: These firecrackers sometimes go off with loud explosions akin to a bomb, and when you factor in the general insecurity in the nation, you'd appreciate government's concerns.
Funny enough, there's that particular type called a 'Bomb'.
It's Christmas, and some families are going to be homeless going into the new year, and unbudgeted government funds are going to be spent catering for these casualties of human recklessness.
Who in the world was the smart guy who decided that the best place to store firecrackers was in a densely populated residential area?
For that matter, who was the shylock landlord who built a warehouse in the middle of a residential area?
. . . And who're the government land and housing officials who approved such?
Who're the ones whose responsibility it is to monitor land and housing laws and regulations?
In the end, we are all culpable. . .
Source: Associated Press & Yahoo News
Thanks to The Nigerian Fire Service.
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