Unfortunate to Blame Atomic Junction Gas Explosion on "Chinchinga Seller"
Authorities of Ghana National Fire Service(GNFS) has dismissed reports that “Chinchinga” Seller ignited the explosion at the Atomic Junction last Saturday.
According the GNFS, the growing speculation is unwarranted and unfortunate and must be stopped.
A day after the incident which has destroyed lives and properties, reports point at the Khebab seller, as the architect behind the flame which caused the explosion when the gas is offloaded.
In a viral video report that sought to present a so-called chronology of events, that occurred before and during the explosion, broadcaster and Morning Show Host of Accra-based Joy FM, Kojo Yankson, explained that a khebab seller located 10 meters away from the gas station, lit a match while there was a gas escape in the process of discharge of gas from a tanker to the gas company’s reservoir hence the explosion.
Prince Billy Anaglate, the Second Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service has stated that the analysis is false and should be disregarded.
In an interview with Citi News Prince Billy of GNFS claimed that, several factors must be put into consideration before any conclusion can be drawn as the cause of the explosion.
“It is unfortunate for anybody to quickly come out with a conclusion of the investigation when there are several possible causes. Certain activities around the gas filling station might be responsible for the cause of a gas fire on a gas facility, but if you are talking about a khebab seller, you need to determine the distance of the khebab seller to the gas station,” he said.
“You need to determine and assess certain factors to find out that even if there is a leakage of gas that might have caused it, know the velocity and direction for the wind to dissipate the constitution of the gas before making such conclusions. That assertion by somebody is just an unfortunate one,” he added.
Many people have taken to social media to rubbish the account of the broadcaster as images from the explosion scene suggested that the accused khebab seller, who is yet to be identified, had not started operation moments before the explosion.
Meanwhile, the Ghana National Fire Service is still conducting its investigations into the matter and will soon release its report.
The explosion on Saturday, has killed seven people so far, with nearly 132 injured. Some of the injured have been treated and discharged, whereas those with severe injuries are still on admission at the 37 Military, Ridge and Legon Hospitals.
