At least 15 people sustained varying degrees of injuries following a gas explosion that rocked Ijora Badia in the Apapa Iganmu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State on Sunday afternoon.
The explosion, which occurred around 4:10 p.m., was triggered by a 25kg gas cylinder inside a mini shop that reportedly contained five similar cylinders.
The shop was situated within a bungalow that housed 15 self-contained rooms and seven additional shops.
Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the incident in a statement issued late Sunday.
She attributed the cause of the explosion to the mishandling of gas products, which led to a leak that was ignited by a nearby flame.
“It was a case of poor handling of gas products, which unfortunately allowed gas to escape and come in contact with a flame. This triggered the explosion,” Adeseye said.
According to her, the fire resulting from the explosion was promptly extinguished, and the remaining cylinders were evacuated to prevent further danger.
“The resulting fire was swiftly extinguished, and the remains of the gas cylinders were safely evacuated. The danger was completely averted, and normalcy has since returned to the area,” she added.
While no fatalities were reported, Adeseye disclosed that 15 people suffered burns of varying severity.
Several of the injured victims received first aid at the scene, while others were taken to nearby hospitals for advanced medical care. None of the injuries were considered life-threatening.
The swift response involved personnel from the Sari Iganmu Fire Station, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).
