Kerosene tank explosion kills 5 at Abuja Kubwa market, razes shops

About five persons have died while several other persons injured as a kerosene-laden tank exploded at popular Kubwa Village Market in Abuja on Friday night.

The incident happened at the junction leading to the L.E.A Primary School, Jaji Street, and few metres away from St Luke Catholic Church.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reporter saw bodies of the victims being evacuated by the combined team of officers of the Nigerian Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Fire Service, among others.

The inferno, which razed the adjoining shops in the area, was extinguished by the Fire Service men.

According to a witness, Mr Chima Nnamdi, the sad event occurred at about 7:15pm and so far at least 5 bodies have been burnt and some to an unrecognizable extent.

He said several other people, who sustained injuries, had been taken to the Kubwa General Hospital. He included that a kerosene seller and her child were among the victims of the fire.