Panic gripped residents of Bioku-Alaadun in Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State on Friday night after a gas explosion ripped through the community, leaving several persons feared dead.
The incident occurred when a gas tanker was reportedly discharging its content into a retail outlet in the area.
Witnesses said the explosion affected the shop owner and others who were nearby at the time.
Confirming the development in a telephone interview with our correspondent, the General Manager of the Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Yemi Akinyinka, said emergency teams had been deployed to the scene.
“Our officers are on the ground and still responding. The explosion happened while gas was being discharged.
We can confirm that there are casualties, but the full details are still being compiled,” Akinyinka said.
He added that efforts were ongoing to fully contain the situation and assess the extent of damage.
