EXPLOSION: Grandmother, Grandson, One other Die in Ondo Explosion

A grandmother, her grandson and one other person have been killed following an  explosion in Araromi Obu area of Ondo State.

At least 10 others sustained  injuries

Vanguard gathered that the explosion was from the facility of the state water corporation located at Araromi Obu, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

Sources said the deceased might have inhaled the chemicals that escaped from one of the cylinders that exploded at about 11.30 pm, Tuesday.

There was confusion in the town following the deafening sound from the premises of the water corporation located on Oke Otunba Street.

On hearing the sound, the people who went to ascertain what was amiss inhaled the gas that escaped from the cylinder.

Unknown to them, the chemical was poisonous as more people continued to rush towards the premises of the corporation.

It was gathered that many of them, after sometime, started  itching on their faces and  felt uncomfortable.

This disrupted their breathing and they fainted.

One of them, Olatayo Adejayan aka Malato, was said to have been  rushed to the Comprehensive Health Centre in the town for medical attention.

He later died when there was no oxygen to stabilise his breath.

Two other person, a seven year-old-boy simply identified as Isaac, his grandmother and one other persons were taken  to the GeneralHospital in Okitipupa for proper medical attention.

Reports has it that while the woman did not make it to the hospital, the grandson died later in the hospital.

Some officials of the water corporation confirmed that  one of the cylinders containing some chemicals being used for purification of water suddenly burst and the chemical content escaped, causing health hazard in the town.

The officials said the cylinder contained outdated chemicals that ought to have been disposed off about three years ago.

In a swift response, the state government sent medical personnel to the town.

State Health Commissioner, Dayo Adeyanju, told newsmen in Akure that the  health officers, including doctors and nurses, had been dispatched to the town.

He said the situation was now under control.

Culled from Vanguard