The Diocesan Headquarters of Umuahia Catholic Archdiocese, popularly called Mater Dei Catholic Church on Azikiwe road in Umuahia, the Abia state capital was on Tuesday rocked by an explosion.
The explosion, which occurred in the church premises at about 2:45pm, caused pandemonium in the area as residents who were taken by surprise scampered for safety.
Sources within the cathedral revealed the explosion was caused by an old abandoned petrol tank, which had been buried and long forgotten.
The church gardener, after his routine cleanup was said to have unknowingly set fire on heap of refuse collected while cleaning the compound directly where the tank was buried.
The heat from the fire was said to have triggered the explosion, which affected roofs of houses around the cathedral.
No life was said to however been affected during the incident
NAN