The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed that no lives were lost in the gas explosion that rocked Orokeonuoha Community in Ebonyi Local Government Area on Thursday.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Joshua Ukandu, 10 individuals suffered varying degrees of burns in the incident.
In a statement issued during an interview in Abakaliki on Saturday, Ukandu reassured the public that despite the injuries, no fatalities were reported.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the incident occurred at Good Shepherd Catering School in Orokeonuoha.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) stated, “The police are aware of the incident, which took place on Thursday. The victims were taken to Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki. At the time of the incident, no deaths were recorded, and there were students present in the school when it happened.”
The PPRO described the explosion as “very unfortunate,” adding that it was allegedly caused by a gas cylinder in the school’s kitchen.
Meanwhile, Ebonyi State’s Fire Service revealed that it was not informed of the explosion.
Chief Fire Officer Ralph Ibiam, responding to criticism over the lack of intervention, said, “Nobody alerted the fire service about the incident.”
Ibiam expressed his sympathy for the victims and warned that gas explosions were becoming more common in the state.
He urged the public to follow safety guidelines, especially avoiding phone calls at fuel stations, in kitchens, or near electrical appliances, as fire “moves like a wave.”