3 INJURED IN GAS EXPLOSION (1B, MAY 27, 2010)

Story: Akwai Ampratwum-Mensah, Sunyani

AN explosion at the Louis Gas Filling Station, near the State Transport Company (STC) Yard on the Sunyani-Abesim road, on Tuesday caused injury to three persons and completely burnt two vehicles.
The explosion also affected parts of a guest house belonging to the Electoral Commission in Sunyani.
An attendant at the station, Abdul Baba, who suffered severe burns, has been referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, after initial treatment at the Regional Hospital in Sunyani.
Two others, identified as Prince Adams, a sub-officer of the Sunyani Fire Service station, and K.B. Ofei, an assistant station officer of the Berekum Station, were treated and discharged at the regional hospital.
The accident also caused extensive damage to other private property, including two vehicles, which were burnt beyond repairs, while the windscreen of a third got broken.
Ironically, the explosion occurred when there was a power outage in the vicinity. In spite of that, hundreds of sympathisers and onlookers were attracted to the place.
When this reporter arrived at the scene about 7:30 p.m., some of the onlookers were seen standing very close to the burning fire while firemen went about their work.
On another visit to the scene around 8 a.m. yesterday, this reporter saw scores of people gathered in groups and discussing the incident.
The Brong Ahafo Regional Fire Officer, Mr Paul Opoku, who spoke to the Daily Graphic, said his office received a report about 6:33 p.m. on Tuesday and immediately dispatched a fire engine to the scene.
He indicated that when the team arrived there, it was realised that the situation was critical and, therefore, it called for reinforcement from the Berekum Fire Station.
Mr Opoku condemned the attitude of the crowd in thronging the area, pointing out that it was dangerous for people to move to scenes of fire outbreaks because some of them could lose their lives in the process.
He alleged that some of those who rushed to the scene openly stole items from the stores and shops they managed to break into and commended personnel of the Ghana Police Service and the military who went in to assist in controlling the crowd.
Mr Opoku said his outfit was still investigating the cause of the fire, adding, however, that initial investigation had revealed that there was a leakage on the gas container which the owner was said to have rectified without any assistance from the Ghana National Fire Service.