Shops and Goods Destroyed in Late-Night Tanker Explosion in Lagos

In a Tuesday late-night incident, a gas tanker caught fire along the Agbado Road in the Toyin area of Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State, resulting in the destruction of an unconfirmed number of shops and their contents.

The Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed the incident, stating that the fire erupted at 22:04hrs due to a gas tanker that accidentally caught fire and triggered an explosion. While the impact of the fire led to the destruction of some shops, prompt efforts by state fire service operatives successfully curtailed its further spread.

Adeseye noted, “The fire has been confined to the tanker and the adjoining row of shops as concerted efforts are ongoing to forestall further spread to protect the environment and property, including the nearby Kerozone Petroleum Filling Station.”

The Lagos State Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, provided additional details, explaining that the tanker collided with an electric pole while attempting to enter a premises for offloading. This collision caused a cable to snap, resulting in the subsequent explosion.

Farinloye emphasized that emergency responders, including the Lagos State Fire Services and NEMA, effectively brought the fire under control without any reported casualties. However, several shops suffered destruction due to the incident.

This comes just days after a separate incident in Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki, where makeshift structures were gutted by fire. The incidents highlight the importance of prompt emergency response and the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing such situations across Lagos State.