By Ifeanyi Okolie &  Paul Ituru
LAGOS — A deafening explosion rocked Marina area of Lagos Island, yesterday evening, after an oil vessel undergoing repairs in a dock caught fire. The incident, which took place around 5p.m, resulted in a pandemonium as passers-by and motorists ran for safety.

Unconfirmed reports said there were many casualties after the explosion which also shook the headquarters of a first generation bank and other surrounding buildings in the area.

When Vanguard visited the scene around 5.30pm, a team of plain-clothed security agents and officials of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, were seen around the scene. But officials of both agencies and reporters were prevented from having access to the vessel by the security agents who cordoned off the area.

Eyewitnesses said the vessel reportedly owned by a retired Police officer, exploded after a gas leakage in one of the compartments of the vessel undergoing repairs. The leakage was followed by a loud explosion.

However, CEO of LASEMA, Mr Olufemo Oki, told reporters later that “there was only one casualty, no mortality and the victim is responding to treatment.

He assured that investigations were going on to ascertain whether the vessel was laden with petroleum products or not.