By Monsuru Olowoopejo

Three persons, yesterday, suffered severe burns, when fire razed Niger Biscuits Company on Creek Road, Apapa Local Government Area, destroying property worth several millions of naira.

Also burnt were two Sports Utility Vehicles, SUV, parked within the premises.

Confirming the number, a resident, who identified himself as a staff of the company and does not want his name in print, said that three injured persons have been rushed to an undisclosed hospital by officials of Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS.

He said one of the victims was a security officer, adding “he was trying to put out the fire when it happened. In fact, it was God that can saved him.”

It was learned that the fire started at about 2p.m., few minutes after gas exploded at the factory.

A staff of the company, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Vanguard that the explosion occurred after the maintenance department completed their Sunday maintenance service, in preparation for the commencement of full scale production today.

At press time, the fire was still raging, while officials of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Lagos State Fire service, NNS Beecroft, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA Tin Can Island Port, UBA Fire service, Julius Berger Plc fire services were on ground battling to put out the fire.

Fire tankers were seen racing to Folawiyo Oil Depot, to source for more water to put out the fire.

Meanwhile, the company’s staff were standing helplessly, lamenting what would be the aftermath of the inferno and expressing fear that the management might downsize.