The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says three bodies have been recovered from the scene of Thursday night’s tanker explosion on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja.

Ibrahim Farinloye, acting Zonal Coordinator, South-West Zonal Office, NEMA, confirmed the development on Friday.

A Liquefied Petroleum Gas ( LPG) tanker had exploded while in motion at about 10.32 p.m.

Mr Farinloye said the resulting fire travelled with the wind to Ogun State Property Investment Company (OPIC) Plaza beside Sheraton Hotel, which houses different commercial outfits, including a Chinese Restaurant.

“We have so far recovered three bodies from the incident. The bodies were recovered from the generator house of OPIC Plaza and the restaurant. Search and rescue is still ongoing from the collapsed buildings,” he revealed.

He had earlier said the fire was put out at about 12.30 a.m. after concerted efforts of five fire trucks from Lagos State Fire Service and two trucks from Lagos State Emergency Management Agency Response Unit.

“The initial search and rescue activities revealed that 13 persons sustained various degrees of burns. Out of this, nine are males while four are females,” Mr Farinloye said.

He added that the victims were given first aid at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), and four of them with severe injuries transferred to the Trauma and Burns Centre at Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos.

“Preliminary assessment on vehicles damaged indicated that about 25 were destroyed as of now. Comprehensive post-disaster assessment on the extent of general damages would be done later today,” stated Mr Farinloye.

(NAN)