Lagos — Twenty four persons including two children were injured after a cooking gas cylinder exploded in Epe area of Lagos State yesterday.

Witnesses said the explosion in a house on Chief M.T Awe Street was caused by children who were playing with matches.

No life was lost but two children had severe burns while 22 others had minor burns.

The two children are currently being treated at the intensive care unit of the Épé General Hospital while the 22 others were treated on the spot by emergency workers from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and those from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

The Public Relations Officer of NEMA in the South-West region, Ibrahim Farinloye, described the explosion as tragic, and attributed it kids playing with matches.

"Children should be warned against playing with gaseous substances and trained on how to handle fire extinguishers in case of accidents. Parents should try to replace their metal gas cylinders with fibre cylinders which are far less risky, it is highly fire resistant", he said.