Death toll from gas explosion in Lagos rises to five

A gas tanker reportedly exploded around 11pm on June 17, at Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way in Ikeja, Lagos.

An eyewitness alleged that the fire was caused by a leaking gas tanker that broke down just after a Filling station, causing panic at the filling station and making both staff and customers flee for their lives.

The eyewitness said; 

The fire was caused by a leaking gas tanker that broke down just after Total Filling station at around 10:30pm causing panic at the filling station that made both staff and customers flee for their lives.

Repeated calls to the Lagos state fire service for preemptive measures proved abortive until the tanker exploded at about 11:PM and the resulting inferno quickly spread around, especially into the plaza after the filling station.

A gallant effort from the Lagos state fire service when did arrive curtailed the rage of the fire and arguably prevented further damage.

Many reportedly sustained varying degrees of injuries following the explosion which affected buildings and vehicles around the area. 

Eyewitnesses said the fire which resulted from the explosion, was wind transported to the premises of Ogun State Property Investment Company (OPIC) Plaza beside Sheraton Hotel, a facility that housed many businesses.

The fire was eventually put out around 12:30 am with the help of seven fire trucks from Lagos Fire Service and LASEMA Response Unit. Lagos state commissioner of police, Hakeem Odumosu has visited the scene of the incident with other officials of the Lagos state government. 

Here are more photos below:

The death toll from the gas tanker explosion has risen to five.

Three of the bodies, said to be adult males, were found inside one of the stores at the OPIC plaza while operatives of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) search for a child whose mother was rescued earlier this morning.

It was learnt the woman, who was at the Chinese Restaurant, kept crying about her child when she was being evacuated to the hospital which gave insights that someone was trapped.

A further search by the operatives led to the discovery of two more bodies, one of which was a child.

Speaking on the rescue operation, the Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said

“First responders worked to control the spread to the adjacent properties as well as the nearby petrol station until 0400hrs Friday.

Thirteen people with various degrees of burns were rescued comprising nine males and four females. They were provided with pre hospital care before taken to Lagos State health facilities for further treatment

The affected truck has been moved, the entire affected area cordoned off and post disaster assessment ongoing”