By Deborah Nnamdi
At least 15 individuals suffered various degrees of burn injuries on Sunday after a gas explosion at No. 12 Amosu Street, Ijora Badia, in the Apapa Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State.
The explosion, which occurred around 5:00 p.m., was caused by a 25-kilogram gas cylinder inside a small shop. The shop was part of a row of five stores within a bungalow that contained 15 self-contained rooms and significant damage, though fortunately, there were no fatalities.
Initial investigations indicate that the explosion resulted from a gas leak due to improper handling of the product, which was ignited by a nearby flame.
Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the incident, reporting that no lives were lost.
By 6:00 p.m., Adeseye confirmed that the fire had been fully extinguished and that the remaining gas cylinders were safely removed.
“15 persons, including adults and children of both genders, suffered varying degrees of burn injuries,” she said.
She also assured that many of the victims had received first aid on-site, while others were rushed to the hospital for further treatment. “None of the cases are life-threatening,” Adeseye added.
Emergency responders at the scene included personnel from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), and the Nigeria Police.
