Explosion rocks Lagos communiity, razes 50 shops 

CITIZENS COMPASS —No fewer than 50 shops were razed on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, in a gas explosion which occurred at Agbado Road, Toyin Bus Stop, Iju Ishaga area of Lagos State.

The explosion threw residents into panic as social media users sent different types of messages to alert members of the public.

However, at about 10 p.m., the Coordinator, of Lagos State Territorial District, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, on the official WhatsApp platform page of the Agency, assured residents that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and other emergency responders were fully in control.

There were different accounts as per the cause of the explosion. One of the accounts said a high-tension cable snapped while a lorry loaded with gas was trying to offload the content crashed on the high-tension cable thereby resulting in a spark.

The explosion was said to have travelled fast spreading rapidly to adjourning shops.

Another account explained that it occurred from the leakage of one of the gas cylinders being offloaded and in the process of offloading, a spark occurred which affected about 50 shops of two rolls of shops.

Confirming the incident, the Director, of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, in her updates said, “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is currently attending to a Fire explosion at Agbado Road, Toyin Bus Stop, Iju Ishaga.

“The Fire which was reported at 22:04hrs Tuesday as a result of a gas tanker that accidentally caught Fire and accompanied by an explosion has been confined to the tanker and an adjoining row of shops it spread to as concerted efforts are ongoing to forestall further spread to protect the environment and property including the nearby Kerosene Petroleum Filling Station.

“The agency is assuring the public of their safety and admonishing them to be as distant as possible from the scene while naked flames should be avoided for now within the vicinity.”
In another update at about 1.22a.m on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, she said,

“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 traveled over affecting 18 shops in all and contents therein with the mini truck.

“There are no traces of casualty nor injury as the  operations moved towards conclusion.”

Earlier, Farinloye said, “People around Iju Ishaga should calm down and avoid panic.

“The gas explosion at Oguns Street, Balogun Bus Stop has been brought under complete control of the Lagos State Fire Service.

“It was reported that a store with a cooking gas cylinder exploded and after restoring electricity, an explosion started Fire Service has brought the situation under control completely.”

Farinloye said the explosion affected aboit 50 shops.