File photo: Fire incident
by Akan Ido
Garki-Area one in Abuja was a picture of confusion on Thursday evening as loud explosions hit the Shagari Plaza on Moshood Abiola Way.
Customers and residents of the area were said to have taken to their heels fearing that the explosions may be the handiwork of the dreaded Boko Haram military sect.
The loud bang was, however, caused by a gas cylinder which exploded around 5:17pm. A jeep parked close to the gas dispenser went up in flame.
The gas retailer, who tried to recover his money kept under one of the cylinders was also caught in the explosion while trying to save his earnings for the day.
“He kept it under one of the cylinders. As he was trying to take the money, another cylinder exploded”, the eyewitness, who did not give his name, said.
Another eyewitness said the retailer took delivery of the gas supply on Wednesday.
“They just supplied him the gas yesterday. We are surprised because we still don’t know what happened. We only heard a big bang,” he said.
The gas retailer was said to have been receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility. The scene of the explosion has been cordoned off by military men preventing access to the area.
