Families scamper for safety as gas explosion razes 18 shops in Lagos

Families scamper for safety as gas explosion razes 18 shops in Lagos

There was stampede for hours at Agbado Road, Toyin Bus stop, Iju Ishaga, Lagos State on Tuesday night following a gas explosion that razed no fewer than 18 shops.

The incident in the thickly populated suburb caused panic among residents, some of who were already sleeping, and had to hurriedly wake up their family members and moved to safe areas.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service effectively controlled the fire explosion, mitigating its spread and safeguarding the environment and nearby properties, including a Kerosene Petroleum Filling Station.  

According to a statement signed by Margaret Adeseye, the Director of the Service, the incident occurred shortly after 10 pm on Tuesday, as reported on their X (formerly Twitter) handle.  

The statement from the fire service attributes the emergency to the off-loading of six 75-50(kg) gas cylinders from a stationary mini truck to a gas shop. An accidental explosion, caused by a compromised head cap of one cylinder, ignited the fire. 

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Subsequently, the fire spread across the street, affecting a total of 18 shops, including their contents, and the mini truck. The spread to the other end of the street was facilitated by a cylinder that travelled over.   

Here’s what the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is saying:

• “The situation is now calm as the Fire is under control and further explosion altered as dampen down ongoing to mob up the scene of the incident.
• “The cause of the emergency is attributed to the off-loading of six numbers of 75-50(kg) gas cylinders sizes from a stationed mini truck to a gas shop that accidentally resulted in explosions from one of the compromised head caps of a cylinder accompanied by Fire.
• “The ensuing Fire triggered to the other side of the street with the aid of one of the gas cylinders that travelled over affecting 18 shops in all and contents therein with the mini ta ruck.
• There are no traces of casualty nor injury as the operations moved towards a conclusion,” the statement read in part.

Families scamper for safety as gas explosion razes 18 shops in Lagos