Panic grips Umuahia after massive explosion on the premises of Catholic cathedral

PANIC gripped Umuahia the Abia State capital yesterday after the headquarters of the Catholic Archdiocese of Umuahia popularly known as the Mater Dei Catholic Cathedral on Azikiwe Road was rocked by an explosion.

Apparently, the explosion, which occurred on the church premises at about 2.45pm, caused pandemonium in the area as residents, who were taken by surprise, ran for safety.  Sources at the cathedral revealed the explosion was caused by an old abandoned petrol tank, which had been buried underground and long forgotten.

It is believed that the church gardener, after his routine clean-up, unknowingly set fire on the heap of refuse collected while cleaning the compound, directly above where the tank was buried. Heat from the fire was said to have triggered the explosion, which affected roofs of the houses around the cathedral, although no life was lost in the incident.

Chris Ezike, the Abia State police commissioner, said that personnel of the Explosive Ordinance Department of the  Abia State Police Command were moved to the scene immediately. He added: “A cleaner in the church, after sweeping the compound, set fire to the waste and the fire spread to a disused underground fuel tank, which exploded, bringing down part of a nearby fence and shattering a vehicle parked in the next compound.

 “As I speak to you, the Explosive Ordinance Department and the Bomb Disposal Unit of the command have been moved to the place to ascertain that there is nothing much more than the facts that we know now. By tomorrow, when they come out with their scientific report, I will also update members of the public.”