At least 15 people were injured on Sunday afternoon following a gas explosion in Ijora Badia, located within the Apapa Iganmu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
The incident occurred around 4:10 p.m. and was caused by a 25kg gas cylinder inside a small shop that reportedly housed five gas cylinders. The shop was part of a bungalow structure that included 15 one-room apartments and seven other shops.
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Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the incident in a statement issued later that day. She explained that the explosion was due to improper handling of gas, which caused a leak that was ignited by an open flame nearby.
“It was a result of unsafe handling of gas products, which led to a leak that eventually caught fire,” she stated.
Adeseye noted that the fire sparked by the explosion was quickly brought under control, and the remaining cylinders were removed to prevent further risk. She assured that the situation was effectively managed and that calm had been restored to the area.
While no deaths were recorded, 15 people sustained burn injuries of various degrees. Some were treated on-site, while others were taken to nearby medical facilities. Fortunately, none of the injuries were life-threatening.
Emergency responders 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) were involved in managing the incident and providing immediate assistance.
