Kerosene explosion: Policeman loses 4 children (Page 2)

Kerosene explosion at Oghara, Delta State, has claimed the lives of four children of a policeman (names withheld) serving in Warri. Two of the children of the policeman and his wife, a petty trader, identified as Edna are on danger list at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

The National Coordinator of the Save Accidents Victims of Nigeria (SAVAN), Dr, Eddy Ehikhamenor who received the victims when they were brought in on Monday night, said the mother and her two children had over 85 percent degree burns.

A neighbour of the victims who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the affected woman who also sells kerosene among other things was about to light her kerosene lantern when it suddenly exploded and her residence engulfed by fire.
She said attempt by her neighbours to rescue the victims failed and in the process, four of the children died.

Speaking, SAVAN Coordinator advised kerosene users to always carry out simple tests on their kerosene before usage. He mentioned such tests to include visual test, that is, the use of the eyes to ascertain whether the product was actually kerosene; to ascertain whether the colour of the kerosene was golden or light yellow, nasal examination to know if the kerosene was irritating, pungent or choking, an indication that such product was fuel and not kerosene.

Dr. Ehikhamenor advised kerosene consumers to put a drop of the product on their skin to see if it will evaporate fast, saying that once the product evaporates very fast, it was an indication that it was fuel and very volatile just as he warned against the sale of adulterated kerosene to consumers by retailers and marketers all in their bid to maximize profits.