A teenage boy who was undergoing treatment, after suffering severe burns in an accidental outbreak of fire on Wednesday at Apremdo, has passed away.
The 17-year-old, whose name has been withheld, was receiving treatment at the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital after sustaining severe injuries in the accident.
The municipal chief executive for Effia-Kwesimintsim, Kojo Acquah, confirmed this development to the Takoradi-based Skyy Power FM.
Attempted transfer
‘‘Sadly, we have lost him. I am talking about the 17-year-old boy on from the accident. From what I gather, he was a Muslim and a mate to the 30-year-old driver.
“Doctors did everything they could and had prepared him for transfer to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital but unfortunately, he could not make it,’’ Acquah said.
Tried to escape
On Wednesday, two fuel tankers exploded behind a Total filling station at Apremdo, a suburb of Takoradi.
The drivers of the tankers had been attempting to deposit fuel in a reservoir. They were awaiting the pump manager’s order to discharge when fire broke out.
Investigators have not yet discovered the cause of the fire. Over a dozen shops nearby were destroyed in the incident.
Although many people escaped before the Apremdo fire could spread far, a two-year-old baby was burned beyond recognition on the spot.
Two other people sustained burns of various degrees of severity.
Attempting to escape from the fire, one of the two injured, the 17-year-old boy, ran into the driver and held on to him, sending both of them tumbling to the ground.
Sudden death
The 30-year-old driver was subsequently moved to the Jemima Crentsil Hospital and the teenager to Effia-Nkwanta.
The driver responded to treatment but the teenager’s condition grew worse.
On Thursday, doctors at Effia-Nkwanta prepared for him to be transferred to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. However, the boy was confirmed dead on Friday.
Atsu Boye
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