A gas explosion on Sunday afternoon rocked the Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos, leaving one person injured and destroying several shops in the Orisunbare Market.
Eyewitnesses said the blast, which occurred around 2:00 p.m., was triggered by a leaking gas cylinder in one of the shops.
The impact of the explosion reportedly caused extensive damage to nearby structures and sparked panic among traders and residents.
“I was near the market when I heard a loud bang,” said one eyewitness.
“People started running and screaming; the scene was chaotic.”
Emergency responders, including officials from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, arrived swiftly at the scene to contain the situation.
One person sustained severe hand burns, but no fatalities were recorded.
The Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed the incident, explaining that the explosion occurred at a gas retail outlet that stored multiple cylinders of different sizes.
“Swift responses from the Sari-Iganmu and Ilupeju Fire Stations helped bring the situation under control and prevented further escalation. Several shops were affected, but only one person sustained minor injuries,” she stated.
Adeseye added that another emergency was simultaneously attended to by the Service involving a 33,000-litre petrol tanker that spilled its contents along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, near the Berger Car Depot.
She said the tanker, which was travelling from the Apapa Terminal, collided with a Mercedes-Benz SUV and seven stationary vehicles displayed for sale.
Prompt intervention by the Fire Service prevented the spill from triggering a major fire.
“The remaining product is currently being transloaded into another tanker, while efforts are ongoing to recover the damaged vehicles and safely conclude the operation,” she added.
