Kerosene Explosion Killed Two, Injured Others In Ebonyi
By Joyce Onuora Abakaliki
Two persons were killed in a kerosene explosion, while others
sustained serious injuries in Umuebe Village Ezzamgbo
Community in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The deceased are Joy Ituma and Joshua Ituma who are six and four years
old respectively, while those who sustained serious injuries and are
receiving treatment in the hospital are Mrs. Christiana Idenyi, 34,
and Uchenna Idoko,17.
The two children and their uncle were rushed to the Federal Teaching
Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA) where the two children died.
It was gathered that the kerosene which allegedly caused the
explosion procured from a filling station located at Ezzamgbo
junction which was said to be adulterated.
According to eyewitnesses, the kerosene explosion occurred when
the victims wanted to light their lanterns in their respective homes.
They disclosed that the families had bought kerosene at the same fuel station.
One of the victims, Mrs. Christiana Idenyi, lamented that the
explosion occurred immediately she struck the matches to light her
lantern. She said it gave her serious burns which affected her two
legs.
“I went to the filling station and bought the kerosene. I poured it
into the lamp immediately I returned. So, immediately I struck the
matches, it exploded. As you can see, my legs, hands, and other parts
of my body were burnt”, she said.
The deceased persons’ uncle, Chukwudi Idoko, who was deeply saddened
by the incident, alleged that the kerosene was bought from the said
filling station.
“When the schools closed for the holiday, my younger brother left
Obobo village to my sister’s house to assist her. She trades on
babies’ wears and her husband is a commercial bus driver.
“So, he takes care of the children. So, when they bought the kerosene,
they poured it inside the lantern.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident,
adding that the fuel station’s manager, Emmanuel Omiyi, and the
kerosene pump attendant, Anayo Ayu, have been arrested for
interrogation.
She said that samples have been taken from the facility for laboratory
test by experts in petroleum products.
Also speaking, the Chief Consultant at the Burns and Plastic Surgery
Unit of Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA), Dr. Nnadozie
Ugochukwu, said “the four-year-old was 100 per cent burnt while the
six-year-old was about 95 per cent burnt.
