Massive Explosion at Nigerian Gas Plant Kills 15

A truck hitting gas cylinders stacked in a gas processing plant is being blamed for a massive explosion and fire Sunday that killed at least 15 people and destroyed nearly 50 buildings in Abule-Ado, Nigeria.

Speculation was widespread in the local media that the explosion was related to a criminal break-in at the gas plant. Among the buildings destoyed were a nearby college and residential homes. The blast also disrupted use a major pipeline serving the gas plant.

Reports from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Twitter account states that although the pipeline fire was extinguished at 11:30 p.m. it reignited at 5:10 a.m. Monday due to “residual fires in the neighborhood.”

NNPC quickly halted ongoing pumping operations on the Atlas Cove-Mosimi pipeline which was active at the time.

Lagos State Fire Service responders battling the stubborn fire were supplemented with more firefighting personnel and equipment the NNPC Mosimi area office, the press release states.

A company spokesperson said the temporary shutdown would not affect the normal supply of products to the Lagos region.