A massive fire broke out at the Mobil Filling Station opposite Airport Hotel at Allen Junction in Lagos, following an explosion involving a 12-ton gas truck.
The incident, which occurred around 11 a.m., left two people with burns and caused significant property damage, with losses estimated in the millions of naira.
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Eyewitnesses recounted the terrifying moment the explosion erupted, destroying at least seven vehicles. Though there were no reported fatalities, the impact was widespread, affecting both commercial and private cars and damaging the second floor of a nearby two-story building.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) quickly responded, with Permanent Secretary Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu confirming that the injured were treated by the agency’s Pre-Hospital Care Team and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) before being transferred to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
“There were no deaths, but two men suffered burns, and others sustained minor injuries,” Oke-Osanyitolu said.
By 2 p.m., the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service had managed to control the blaze, averting further damage to the surrounding area. Director of the Lagos Fire Service, Margaret Adeseye, noted that the explosion happened during the discharge of gas into a surface storage tank, which then ignited, causing the fire to rapidly spread.
“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 explained.
The aftermath of the explosion led to a severe traffic gridlock, with emergency teams cordoning off the area, including the busy Obafemi Awolowo Road. Motorists were redirected to alternative routes to ease congestion.
A multi-agency response was quickly assembled to manage the situation, including teams from LASEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Mobil Fire Unit from Apapa, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABCA), and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
