Kerosene explosion has killed one person and left six others with burns at Immanuel Hospital in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Dr. Joseph Frank-Briggs, the Operation’s Controller, Department of Petroleum Resources, Eket office, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Eket.
Frank-Briggs said the two families were involved in the incident, which led to the death of a boy.
The incident happened at Ikot Udoma in Eket town.
Frank-Briggs said: “We cannot say exactly what is responsible but we are suspecting that the kerosene must have been adulterated.
“Secondly, we think may be in the process of refilling lantern with kerosene while the light is on, could cause fire explosion.”
He said that one person had been arrested in connection with the explosion.
The operation’s controller said that investigation was ongoing to ascertain the root cause of the explosion.
Frank-Briggs said: “It is very dangerous to peddle kerosene on the road side.
“We need to get the results of the analysis first and once that is done, we will swing into actions.”
He noted that when the results of the investigations were out, the department would know if the kerosene was adulterated.
Frank-Briggs warned consumers to desist from buying petroleum products from peddlers, to avoid further occurrence.
He said that the department was putting measure in place to ensure that peddlers were off the roads in the state.
Frank-Briggs added that the department was collaborating with Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to curb illegal operators of petroleum products in the state.