At least 15 people sustained various degrees of injuries in a gas explosion that occurred on Sunday afternoon in Ijora Badia, under the Apapa Iganmu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
According to Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the explosion, which happened around 4:10 pm, originated from a mini shop containing a 25kg gas cylinder and five other similar units. The shop was situated within a bungalow that housed 15 self-contained rooms and seven shops.
Adeseye explained that the explosion was triggered by a gas leak caused by improper handling, which ignited upon contact with an open flame. “It was a result of poor handling of gas products, leading to an escape and ignition,” she said.
She confirmed that although 15 people suffered burn injuries, no fatalities were recorded, and all injuries were non-life-threatening.
Some victims received immediate treatment on-site, while others were taken to nearby hospitals.
The fire was successfully extinguished through the collaborative efforts of firefighters from Sari Iganmu Fire Station, LASEMA, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and LASAMBUS. A similar incident on Otedola Bridge in March claimed five lives.
