A fire broke out at the Mobil Filling Station opposite Airport Hotel at Allen Junction in Lagos, following an explosion involving a gas truck.
The incident left two people with burns and caused significant property damage worth millions of naira.
Eyewitnesses reported that the explosion occurred around 11 a.m., destroying at least seven vehicles. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported.
Initial investigations revealed that a 12-ton gas truck, with an unknown registration number, was involved in the explosion, which also impacted several vehicles and part of a nearby building. The exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
The vehicles affected included both commercial and private cars. Additionally, the second floor of a nearby two-story building sustained damage.
Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), confirmed that while no lives were lost, two men suffered burns, and others had minor injuries. The injured were treated by LASEMA’s Pre-Hospital Care Team and LASAMBUS before being transferred to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
By 2 p.m., the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service had successfully controlled the fire, preventing further damage to surrounding structures. Rescue operations were ongoing.
The explosion caused a traffic gridlock in the area, with emergency teams cordoning off the vicinity, including the busy Obafemi Awolowo Road. Motorists were redirected to alternative routes to ease congestion and prevent a complete traffic standstill.
Margaret Adeseye, Director of Lagos Fire Service, explained that the explosion occurred while a gas truck was discharging its contents into a surface storage tank, which then ignited. The fire spread quickly, engulfing eight vehicles, including the tanker, and damaging parts of the top floor of a nearby two-story building.
Several individuals were injured and taken to LASUTH for treatment, though the exact number of those injured was still being confirmed at press time.
“Fire service teams from Alausa and Ikeja Fire Stations responded promptly to control the blaze. As of the latest update, efforts to dampen the affected area are ongoing,” Adeseye stated.
Several agencies were on-site to manage the situation, including LASEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC), the Mobil Fire Unit from Apapa, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABCA), and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).