By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The gallant officers of the Anambra State Police Command, over the weekend, intervened and assisted in the rescue of victims and survivors as a gas explosion rocked a plumbing material market at the ever-busy Head Bridge axis of Onitsha, killing one person and injuring six others.
The incident, which occurred along Uga Street by the Onitsha Head Bridge, reportedly involved a welding gas cylinder that exploded while a welder was working on a metal, believed to have been overheated.
In the heat of the situation that followed the explosion, operatives of the Anambra State Police Command joined hands with good-spirited individuals at the scene to rescue victims and contain the situation.
According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police personnel attached to the Onitsha Head Bridge Divisional Headquarters swiftly responded to the distress call and collaborated with members of the public in evacuating the victims from the scene.
He confirmed that six persons were rescued alive and immediately taken to the hospital for treatment, while one life was, unfortunately, lost and the corpse deposited in the morgue.
SP Ikenga added that the Police also worked to secure the area to forestall any attempt by hoodlums to take advantage of the situation and cause more harm or engage in looting.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, expressed sadness over the development and extended condolences to the family of the deceased. He also issued a set of safety precautions aimed at preventing such incidents from recurring.
According to him, handlers of welding equipment and gas cylinders must ensure regular inspection and maintenance of their tools, store them securely, and strictly adhere to the manufacturer’s safety instructions while using such items.
While commending the swift response of the operatives, CP Orutugu reaffirmed the commitment of the Command to continually safeguard lives and property in the state, just as he urged members of the public to remain safety-conscious in their activities.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that normalcy has since returned to the area, with operatives still maintaining presence to ensure total calm and prevent further danger.
