Panic as gas explosion destroys shops at Lagos market

Panic spread through the Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos on Sunday after a gas explosion tore through a section of the Orisunmibare Market, off Baale Street, leaving several shops in ruins.

The fire, which erupted around 2:13 p.m., caused widespread chaos as traders and residents fled for safety while thick smoke and flames engulfed the market. Though no casualties were recorded, goods worth several millions of naira were reportedly destroyed in the inferno.

According to eyewitnesses, the explosion originated from a gas retail outlet within the market, where multiple cylinders of different sizes were stored.

An eyewitness, identified simply as Ejem, who narrowly escaped, recounted: “I was inside when it happened. Around us here, there are three filling stations — one is the MRS filling station opposite my street; another is a gas company behind my street; and then there’s a man who has a very big shop where he sells gas.

They said one of the boys at the shop was pressing his phone when the explosion occurred.

The fire spread quickly because part of the nearby market also had shops where people used camp gas for cooking.”

Confirming the incident, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, said operatives responded promptly and brought the situation under control.

“No lives were lost, except for one person who sustained a minor hand injury,” she said.

Meanwhile, another team of firefighters responded to a 33,000-litre petrol tanker accident along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, near the Berger Car Depot.

The tanker, with registration number AAB-942YC, reportedly spilled its contents after colliding with a Mercedes-Benz Jeep (plate number LSR 606HX) and seven other stationary vehicles displayed for sale.

According to Adeseye, “Prompt intervention by the Ajegunle and Ijegun-Egba Fire Crews prevented the spill from escalating into another disaster. The remaining fuel has been safely transferred to another tanker, while recovery of damaged vehicles is ongoing.”

In a separate incident, the Fire Service also rescued a man trapped inside an underground drainage channel along Ikorodu Road, near Idiroko Bus Stop, inward Maryland, Anthony Village, on Saturday afternoon.

Adeseye said the distress call was received at 12:24 p.m., and the Ilupeju Fire Station was immediately deployed to the scene.

“Upon arrival, responders discovered that a male adult, about 55 years old, had accidentally fallen into a manhole. Our rescue personnel immediately initiated a confined-space rescue operation using specialized equipment, and after sustained effort, the victim was recovered alive and handed over to the Police from Anthony Division for further action,” she stated.

The rescue operation, which lasted until 3:41 p.m., was successfully concluded with the area secured.

Adeseye reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos, noting that despite multiple emergencies within 48 hours, “all incidents were efficiently contained without any loss of life.”