A Mobil Oil Company filling station located beside the Airport Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, was engulfed in flames following a gas explosion around 10:49 AM on Thursday, August 8. The explosion occurred while a gas tanker was discharging its content into a surface storage tank, which ignited and led to the fire.
The incident caused widespread panic among residents and workers in the area, who scrambled to safety. Fortunately, no lives were lost, but several individuals sustained injuries. Many of the injured were transported to hospitals, including the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), in private vehicles before ambulances could arrive on the scene.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, along with other emergency agencies, responded swiftly to the incident. Upon arrival, fire crews discovered that the fire had spread rapidly, engulfing eight vehicles, including the tanker, and parts of a nearby two-storey building.
The fire has since been brought under control. Jubril Gawat, the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor, confirmed the situation was contained through his "X" (formerly Twitter) handle.
Emergency services, including 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), were present at the scene to manage the situation and provide assistance.
Further updates on the number of injuries and the overall impact of the incident are expected as more information becomes available.
