Updated: Two persons burnt, seven vehicles razed in Lagos filling station explosion

Updated: Two persons burnt, seven vehicles razed in Lagos filling station explosion 

 

Two persons were burnt and at least seven vehicles destroyed on Thursday in a gas explosion that occurred at a filling station in the Ikeja area of Lagos State.

The explosion involving a gas truck occurred around 11am at Mobil filling station opposite Airport Hotel, Allen Junction in Lagos, causing heavy vehicular traffic on many roads connected to the area.

The fire from the explosion engulfed several cars and part of a nearby building, it was learnt.

The affected vehicles included both commercial and private cars.

The second floor of a nearby two-storey building was damaged.

Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, confirmed that while there were no deaths but two men suffered burns, and others had minor injuries.

The injured were treated by LASEMA’s Pre-Hospital Care Team and LASAMBUS before they were transferred to LASUTH.

Director of Lagos Fire Service, Margaret Adeseye, said the explosion occurred while the gas truck was discharging its contents into a surface storage tank, which then ignited.

The fire rapidly spread, consuming at least seven vehicles, including the tanker, and damaging parts of the top floor of a nearby two-storey building.

Those who sustained injuries were taken to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for treatment.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service were able to put out the fire by 2pm but rescue operations continued.

The incident caused a gridlock in the area, with emergency teams cordoning off the vicinity, including the busy Obafemi Awolowo Road. Motorists were redirected to alternative routes to alleviate congestion and prevent a total traffic halt.

“Fire service teams from Alausa and Ikeja Fire Stations acted quickly to control the blaze. As of the latest update, efforts to dampen the affected area are ongoing,” Adeseye said.

Apart from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, other agencies on-site to manage the situation are the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Mobil Fire Unit from Apapa, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABCA), and the the police.