A three-story building in the Mushin area of Lagos State was, yesterday, destroyed by fire following an explosion of a 33,000-litre diesel laden tanker at Mobil Petrol Station, Idioro Alakara, Mushin area of Lagos State.
 

  
An eyewitness said the fire was ignited when the tanker driver was discharging diesel to the underground tank, while the station manager, who was close to the tank, was receiving calls.
    
The witness, Salami Idowu told The Guardian: “Immediately the fire started it caught both the tanker driver and his boy and they have been taken to the nearest hospital”
    
Apart from the three-story building, which was beside the  station, another building was affected.
 
The owner of the rented apartment that got burnt, James Emmanuel, said he was at work when he was informed that his house had been gutted  by fire.

“I had to run from my working place to come here. By the time I got here, everything had been burnt down,” he said.

  
Confirming the incident in a statement yesterday, Acting Zonal Coordinator, South West Zonal Office, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, said the explosion, which occurred at a petrol station at about 1:00p.m, gutted the residential building located at No. 71, Agege Motor Road, Alakara, Mushin, Lagos.
   
He said: “No life was lost and no one was injured. Containment of the fire has been very successful
  
“Efforts are ongoing to salvage the three- storey building from being totally consumed.
 
“The few items that were saved have been deposited at the Alakara Police Station,which is opposite the building.”

According to him, the Mobil Filling Station has been sealed-off by the Lagos State Safety Commission.
    
Farinloye said: “Presently, out of the 33,000 litres of  four compartments,  the explosion started while only one compartment was being discharged.
  
“With total control of the fire, the remaining three compartments are being discharged to ensure the safety of the community.”
     
He noted that though the cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained, it was a reminder on the need for Nigerians to be very careful in handling of gasoline.
   
Farinloye said this was especially due to the current dry season and excessive heat when little pressure could lead to a fire outbreak. Also, deputy director of Lagos fire service, Olajide Ogabi told The Guardian said the incident happened at about 1:17 p.m. and it took the Lagos state fire service 15 minutes to get to where the incident occurred. 
   
The station manager of the petrol station, Yemi Salami, refused to speak on the matter.