Five persons have been confirmed dead from a gas explosion that occurred at the busy Ladipo area of Mushin, Lagos.
Emergency responders said the figure comprised three men, a woman and a child.
The incident occurred at about 08:42am at 21 Ojekunle Street, off Ladipo Road and fire service officials were said to have been contacted immediately.
The Nation, relying on government sources, had earlier reported that three persons were believed to have been killed.
But Southwest Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, who gave the update, said the number had increased to five.
Farinloye said the child, aged 10, was rescued alive but died before arriving at the hospital.
The woman who also died in the fire was identified as Mama Funmi.
It was gathered that the explosion occurred at a property used for mixed business activities including a beer parlour, mechanic workshop, gas shop among others.
It was however not clear if there were more victims in the premises at the time of the fire but the Lagos State Fire Service said rescue and recovery operations were ongoing.
Earlier, a statement by the Lagos State Fire Service’s Director, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed the recovery of the three men but was silent on their condition.
It said: “The gas incident which was reported at 08:42 hours Tuesday morning via the state emergency reporting platform was swiftly responded to by a combination of first and secondary responders.
“On arrival at the scene, it was discovered that it is an open space used for several activities including a beer parlour, mechanic workshop, spare parts sale and gas shop amongst others while housing a makeshift structure.
“Three male adults had been recovered as rescue and recovery operations continue and the environment isolated from causing any further secondary incident.
“Preliminary investigations to establish the fact of the incident continue and further discovery will be made public.”
