A gas explosion on Thursday, rocked Lagos, resulting to a fire outbreak at Mobil Oil Company filling station beside the Airport Hotel in Ikeja.
By Emma Ogbuehi
A gas explosion on Thursday, rocked Lagos, resulting to a fire outbreak at Mobil Oil Company filling station beside the Airport Hotel in Ikeja.
It was learnt that the explosion occurred at about 10:49 am on Thursday, August 8, when a gas tanker was discharging its content into a surface storage tank when it ignited.
Meanwhile, the fire has been brought under control.
The incident caused fear among residents and workers in the area, who were forced to run for their lives and scramble to safety.
No lives were lost, but many people were injured, according to eye witnesses. Some of the injured were reportedly rushed to hospitals.
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Reacting to the development, Senior Special Assistant to the state governor, Jubril Gawat, wrote on his “X” handle: “Fire is out already. Thanks.”
In a post on X, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said: “At approximately 10:49 AM today, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to a fire incident at the Mobil filling station, Allen Roundabout, near Airport Hotel. The fire involved a gas truck at the filling station, prompting an immediate response from the Alausa and Ikeja Fire Stations.
Upon arrival, the fire crews discovered that a gas truck was discharging its content into a surface storage tank when it ignited. The blaze quickly spread, engulfing eight vehicles, including the tanker itself, and affecting parts of the uppermost floor of a nearby two-storey building.
Several individuals sustained injuries and were transported to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for treatment. The exact number of injuries is still being determined, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
In addition to the swift response from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, other agencies were present at the scene to assist in managing the situation. These agencies include 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 Nigeria Police Force (NPF)”.