Burns and fire disasters from leaking petroleum pipes in Lagos, Nigeria: an 8-year experience

Introduction: Petroleum products are mostly inflammable and require strict regulations for safe handling. This study characterises the epidemiology of people who sustained burns from leaking petroleum pipes in Lagos, Nigeria. Risk factors for the leaks were determined and proposals for preventive measures made.

Materials and methods: Records of burn patients treated in our hospital from June 1999 to September 2004 were studied and victims of petroleum pipeline fires treated from October 2004 to May 2007 interviewed.

Results: Nine incidents of pipeline fire disasters occurred during the study period. A total of 646 victims sustained 100% burns and died at the disaster sites. Deliberate pipeline damage caused explosions in 55.6% of the cases and spontaneous ruptures in 44.4%. Forty-eight patients were admitted to our hospital for major burns from pipeline explosions. Their ages ranged from 15 to 50 years with a mean of 25.36 ± 5.62 years. The total body surface area (TBSA) involved in burns ranged from 31% to 100% with a mean of 75.71 ± 18.60. Over 40% of the patients had burns beyond 80% TBSA. Mortality rate was 67.3%. Poverty, irregular supply and high prices of petroleum products were responsible for the deliberate pipeline damage and lack of maintenance and surveillance for the spontaneous ruptures.

Conclusion: The incidents of fire disasters from broken petroleum pipelines increased over the study period with considerable mortality. Programmes to reduce poverty, regular product supply, pipeline maintenance and surveillance may reduce the occurrence of the disasters.