There was pandemonium in the early hours of yesterday in Oleh community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State when a cooking stove that was lit by a pregnant woman exploded and killed her, while injuring two other persons close by.
It was gathered that the pregnant woman, identified as Mariam Oghenero, was consumed by the explosion and died on her way to the hospital, while two other victims, who had tried to rescue her were seriously injured, and are admitted for treatment at the Oleh General Hospital.
An eyewitness, Jane Iweh, who spoke to newsmen, said: “The incident occurred along Odaro Lane opposite Saint Michael’s College where the victims live. Unfortunately, the pregnant woman was pouring the kerosene into her stove for cooking when it exploded after she lit it, two others around were injured, and she died before taken to the hospital”.
Sources said that the exploded kerosene seemed adulterated, following similar incident that was recorded last week when an aged woman after pouring kerosene into her lantern and lit it, it exploded, fortunately, the old woman was saved by her grandchildren who moved in to put out the fire with sand.
Husband of the pregnant woman, James Oghenero, who spoke to our correspondent in tears, said: “The explosion indicated the kerosene was adulterated, no hope again, my wife and baby gone, where do I start from?”
As at the time of this report, sympathisers were trooping to the home of the victims in tears while police officers attached to Oleh Police Division, who did not want their names in the print, said investigation into the suspected adulterated kerosene was ongoing, assuring that those who trade on adulterated kerosene will be brought to book.