Residents of Orile-Iganmu, Lagos, witnessed a major gas explosion that ripped through a section of the Orisunmibare Market, off Baale Street, on Sunday. The incident resulted in a fierce blaze that destroyed goods worth several millions of naira, though no lives were lost.
Details of the Incident
The explosion, which occurred around 2:13 p.m., caused immediate chaos, sending traders and nearby residents scrambling for safety.
The blast was quickly traced back to a gas retail outlet reportedly housing multiple cylinders of varying sizes. An eyewitness, identified only as Ejem, narrowly escaped and recounted the scene, noting the density of gas facilities in the area.
“Around us here, there are three filling stations — one is the MRS filling station opposite my street; another is a gas company behind my street; and then there’s a man who has a very big shop where he sells gas.”
Eyewitnesses suggested that the initial ignition might have been caused by a person using a mobile phone near the gas outlet. The fire spread rapidly because a nearby section of the market housed shops where people used camp gas for cooking.
Emergency Response
The Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, confirmed that operatives responded promptly and were able to bring the situation under control.
“No lives were lost, except for one person who sustained a minor hand injury,” she said.
The incident highlights the critical safety risks associated with the location and handling of gas cylinders in dense market environments.
Source: Punch Nigeria
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