A family in Agbor, headquarters of Ika South local government area of Delta has lost five persons to the gas explosion that rocked the town last week Friday.
Pa Monday Osadume told reporters how his wife, daughter in law and three grand daughters were burnt by the explosion and died at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City, Edo state.
In the report made by Quest TV, Pa Osadume gave details of how his wife and grandchildren were consumed in the fire that ran within 500meters from the source of the gas explosion.
“They called my brother that fire was burning in his house. I went with him to his house. Reaching the pace I saw machine burning and someone told me that my wife was burnt in the fire.
“He said they saw her and there was no way they could rescue her. They could not carry her. Her body was burnt. She was then carried with her burnt body to Central Hospital Agbor. They started treating her. But they later said they cannot continue with the treatment.
“I saw many others, they were like 20 in the hospital. I saw my grandchildren there also in the hospital, 15 years old, my 30 years old daughter and 4 years old. I looked around I could not see them, they have been burnt.”
Moses Erudola, another father who lost two children to the explosion, Damilla Erudola and Victoria Erudola, also expressed his pains when Quest TV visited him.
A landlord in the area, Lawrence Okwudi, wants government to monitor the siting of gas plants and they should comply with standards before giving them permission to operate.
He said: “I want to appeal to government that before approving anything, they should go there and ensure it meets standard and they should also supervise them.
This is one of the biggest tragedies that have ever rocked the community of Agbor over the years. Agbor has been one of the most peaceful communities in Delta state.
The community is seriously in a mourning mood and in pains having lost precious indigenes to an avoidable fire incident.
A visit to the impacted area in the community where the gas fire incident occurred about seven days ago, leaves a chilly sensation, acknowledging the collosal damage to lives and properties.
Many families living over 500 metres away from the affected area have lost between one to five loved ones as the days go by, as more victims die in the hospital in Benin City, Edo state.
