Fifteen people, including children, were injured following a gas explosion at a mini-shop in the Ijora-Badia area of Lagos State on Sunday afternoon.
EpeInsights gathered that the explosion, occurred around 4:20 p.m. at 12 Amosu Street, in the Apapa Iganmu Local Council Development Area, and it is the latest in a series of gas-related incidents in Lagos.
The explosion was triggered by a leaking 25kg gas cylinder in a shop located in front of a 15-room studio and seven other shops. The leaking cylinder attracted nearby flames, leading to a massive explosion. The fire quickly spread to five other cylinders inside the shop and the building before firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that no fatalities occurred, and the fire was extinguished before it could escalate further. The gas cylinders were safely evacuated from the scene to prevent additional dangers.
Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed that the leak was caused by the mishandling of the gas cylinder.
She also stated that the injured individuals, including both adults and children, sustained varying degrees of injuries, but none of the cases were life-threatening. “Some victims received first aid at the scene, while others were taken to the hospital for further treatment,” Adeseye said.
This explosion adds to a series of similar incidents in Lagos over the past year, which have raised concerns about gas safety in the city.
In August 2024, a gas explosion at a filling station near Allen Junction left two people severely burned and destroyed several vehicles. The explosion was caused by a gas truck discharging into a storage tank, which ignited and resulted in a fire that engulfed vehicles and part of the surrounding property.
Similarly, in April 2024, a gas leak caused an explosion in the Alayabiagba community of Ajegunle-Apapa, injuring nine people, including a pregnant woman. The explosion also set off a fire that caused extensive damage to several shops and a bungalow.
Earlier in December 2023, another gas explosion rocked a market in the Ikotun area, destroying goods worth millions of naira, though no casualties were reported.
A few months later, in February 2024, a gas explosion in the Toyin area of Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area destroyed 18 shops when a gas cylinder exploded during the offloading process, triggering a fire that rapidly spread to neighboring businesses. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in this incident.
In May 2024, a major gas explosion in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area led to 11 deaths and 22 injuries, with victims sustaining extensive burns. The Lagos State government has been providing medical support for the survivors of this tragic event.
In July 2024, another explosion occurred at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Oniru, Victoria Island, where a gas cylinder used by welders exploded due to a hose leakage, injuring seven people and destroying ten vehicles.
These repeated explosions underscore the growing concern over gas safety in Lagos.
However, authorities have called for more stringent safety measures and regulation of gas storage and handling practices, urging both residents and businesses to take the necessary precautions to prevent further tragedies.
