No fewer than five people are feared dead while several other persons sustained varying degree of injuries when a kerosene-laden tank exploded at popular Kubwa Village Market in Abuja.
The incident, happened Friday night at the junction leading to the L.E.A Primary School, Jaji Street, and few metres away from St Luke Catholic Church.
According to reports, bodies of the victims have been evacuated by the combined team of officers of the Nigerian police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Fire Service, among others. The inferno, which gutted the adjoining shops in the area, had been extinguished by the officials of the fire service.
A witness, Chima Nnamdi, said that the sad incident occurred at about 7:15 p.m.
Mr Nnamdi said he had, so far, counted at least five bodies, some of which were burnt beyond recognition.
He said several other people, who sustained injuries, had been taken to Kubwa General Hospital.
He said that the kerosene might be an adulterated product.
Another witness, who simply called herself as Jennifer, said the kerosene seller and her two children also died in the fire incident.
The Kubwa Police Area Commander, ACP Mohammed Shebe, who confirmed the incident, debunked the rumour that it was a bomb explosion.
“You can see it yourself,” he said as he flashed a torchlight to the kerosene tank which allegedly caused the explosion.
According to him, it was a kerosene surface tank that exploded.
“That is what brought the inferno,” he added.
He said though he could not tell if the kerosene was adulterated, four bodies had so far been evacuated from the scene.
