President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sympathy to the victims what he called ‘the tragic fire incident’ that occurred today, Monday in Lafiya, the state capital.
The fire, which reportedly started from a petrol station, killed several persons and destroyed vehicles and several shops.
The President, who was briefed about the scale of destruction of life and propert, expressed grave concern over the high toll in the fire incident even as he consoled the bereaved families and appealed to the state and federal authorities and well meaning persons in the state to ensure that the best medical assistance was provided to the injured persons.
“I wish that this kind of tragedy never happens to any part of the country,” said the President.
An eyewitness, Saidu Hussaini had said today that the explosion killed many people who are passing along the road closed to the gas station.
“I saw more than 10 corpses, and the corpses were from the passersby whose vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles were affected by the explosion.”
He said that apart from the dead, many vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles were also burnt down within the gas station and neighbouring areas.
The state Sector Commandant, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Faustina Alegbe, also said that two persons has been confirmed dead out of the 37 casualties in the explosion, adding that FRSC personnel evacuated all affected persons to the hospital for medical attention.
The Public Relations Officer of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia, Deborah Dangara, confirmed that corpses and casualties from the explosion were brought to the hospital, but declined to give the number of deaths recorded until they get comprehensive reports.
She revealed that all the medical staff at the hospital have suspended all other activities to attend to victims of the explosion.
The Chief Fire Officer of the state fire service, Dogara Dalhatu, said that the situation is under control as the affected individuals have been evacuated to the hospital.
