About 20 persons, including a pregnant woman and four children have been critically injured by a gas explosion that occured in the Orazi axis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred close to densely populated area in Orazi called ‘Big Tree’.

It was learnt that many of them suffered severe burns and were rushed to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt

The victims were said to have included residents and some passers-by as the sound of the explosion shattered the area, causing pandemonium.

The explosion was said to have occurred at a gas refilling shop when a technician was reportedly fixing a faulty cylinder.

It was learnt that immediately the cylinder exploded, it affected other cylinders in the shop causing multiple explosions.

It was further gathered the fire affected some surrounding buildings forcing most of the occupants to flee for their lives.

A relative of one of the victims who, spoke in confidence said the owner of the shop had been selling gas for years in the area.

He said: “I was just called in the evening about the incident because my sister in-law and the husband are involved. When my wife picked the call her countenance changed immediately.

“So I asked what happened. She said it was a gas explosion and that her sister is at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. I lost my appetite and immediately drove to the hospital. I know how Orazi is. there are many shops scattered all over just for people to survive.”

Another source said a pregnant woman was affected in the explosion, saying, It caused a huge fire, burning houses too,

“About 20 people were burnt, but no death. Let the government come to their aid because this is the beginning of the year,” he pleaded.