Firefighters work on extinguishing a fire caused by an oil pipe explosion in Ijegun town, a satellite town of Lagos, Nigeria, on July 4, 2019. Fire caused by an oil pipeline explosion Thursday in a satellite town of Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub, has been put out, according to the Lagos state government. The fire, which occurred along the state-run oil company's pipeline at Ijegun town at 5 a.m., was reportedly caused by vandals who were stealing oil from the pipeline, the state government said in a statement. (NAN via Xinhua)
LAGOS, July 4 (Xinhua) -- An oil pipeline explosion on Thursday hit a satellite town of Lagos, Nigeria's economic hub, and casualties are feared, a police source told Xinhua.
The source said the blast was ignited by petrol "thieves" who vandalized the pipeline and tried to siphon fuel.
State fire services crew are the fire, and casualty figures are still being collated, a rescue officer, who asked not to be named, told Xinhua over the phone.
Oloruntoyin Kudus, a resident at the affected area, told Xinhua that some people died in the explosion.
Lagos-based radio stations reported that two unidentified bodies were seen, and many vehicles and shops were burnt in the raging fire.
Footage on social media showed flames and people escaping the scene.
