LAGOS, Dec 23: At least 20 people were killed in an explosion as they stole fuel from a damaged pipeline in a fishing community near here, police said Thursday.

Fire broke out on Tuesday night in the Ilado community on a pipeline operated by the state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Lagos State police spokesman Emmanuel Ighodalo told AFP.

"We understand some 20 people were killed. But we are still investigating the incident to get an accurate picture of the situation," he said. A senior officer with the police marine unit said officers had cordoned off the scene of the blast.

"Our men have taken over the place. We believe there could still be some people yet to be accounted for. The people were stealing fuel from the burst pipeline when the explosion occurred," he said.

"Dozens of people were consumed in the inferno. The fire was still raging as of last night," he added. An NNPC spokesman said the group managing director Funsho Kupolokun has visited the scene of what is the latest in a series of deadly explosions. -APP