Grandmother, grandson, one other die in Ondo explosion

AKURE — A grandmother, her grandson
and one other person have been killed
following an explosion in Araromi Obu
area of Ondo State.
At least 10 others sustained  injuries
Vanguard gathered that the explosion was
from the facility of the state water
corporation located at Araromi Obu,
Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo
State.
Sources said the deceased might have
inhaled the chemicals that escaped from
one of the cylinders that exploded at
about 11.30 pm, Tuesday.
There was confusion in the town following
the deafening sound from the premises of
the water corporation located on Oke
Otunba Street.
On hearing the sound, the people  who
went to ascertain what was amiss inhaled
the gas that escaped from the cylinder.
Unknown to them, the chemical was
poisonous as more people continued to
rush towards the premises of the
corporation.
It was gathered that many of them, after
sometime, started itching on their faces
and  felt uncomfortable.
This disrupted their breathing and they
fainted.
One of them, Olatayo Adejayan aka
Malato, was said to have been rushed to
the Comprehensive Health Centre in the
town for medical attention.
He later died when there was no oxygen
to stabilise his breath.
Two other person, a seven year-old-boy
simply identified as Isaac, his
grandmother and one other persons were
taken  to the GeneralHospital in
Okitipupa for proper medical attention.
Reports has it that while the woman did
not make it to the hospital, the grandson
died later in the hospital.
Some officials of the water corporation
confirmed that  one of the cylinders
containing some chemicals being used for
purification of water suddenly burst and
the chemical content escaped, causing
health hazard in the town.
The officials said the cylinder contained
outdated chemicals that ought to have
been disposed off about three years ago.
In a swift response, the state government
sent medical personnel to the town.
State Health Commissioner, Dayo
Adeyanju, told newsmen in Akure that
the  health officers, including doctors and
nurses, had been dispatched to the town.
He said the situation was now under
control.