The Lagos State Government has initiated an investigation into the explosion that occurred late Tuesday evening involving a gas tanker near Agbado Road, Toyin Bus Stop, in the Iju-Ishaga area of Ijaiye Council Development Area (LCDA). The explosion resulted in the destruction of property valued at millions of naira.
Few people were hurt in the fire that terrified the locals, but at least 20 stores were destroyed.
Witnesses report that the incident occurred near a kerosene petroleum filling station at approximately 10:15 p.m.
Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyitolu, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, or LASEMA, stated that an investigation has begun to determine what caused the incidents on Wednesday during an inspection of the fire scene.
He assured that: “Anyone found culpable will face the full wrath of the law. As the state government will not condone act of negligence at the expense of lives of residents.”
However, Oke-Osanyintolu attributed the incident to the residents’ disregard for building code regulations and negligence.
Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, made this statement during his visit to the site of the fire incident, which engulfed 20 shops in Ifako Ijaiye Council Development Area.
He mentioned that investigations have commenced to determine the cause of the fire incidents and assured that anyone found responsible would be held accountable under the law.
Earlier, Director Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs. Magaret Adeseye, who confirmed the incident to Vanguard, said, “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service promptly attended to the fire explosion at the scene.
“The Fire which was reported at 22:04hrs Tuesday as a result of a gas tanker that accidentally caught fire and accompanied with explosion.
The inferno was later confined to the tanker and adjoining row of shops, as concerted efforts forestalled further spread to protect the environment and property including the nearby Kerosene Petroleum Filling Station.
Adeseye, subsequently, narrated the cause of the explosion,thus; “The cause of the emergency is attributed to the off-loading of six numbers of 75-50(kg) gas cylinders sizes from a stationed mini truck to a gas shop that accidentally resulted to explosions from one of the compromised head cap of a cylinder accompanied by Fire.
“The ensuing fire triggered to the other side of the street with the aid of one of the gas cylinders that travelled over affecting 18 shops in all and contents therein with the mini truck.
“There is no traces of casualty nor injury as the operations was concluded.”
While discussing the traders’ losses due to the shop damage, some residents expressed sympathy and called upon the Lagos State government to enforce laws prohibiting the sale of gas cylinders in residential areas.
Several scavengers who arrived at the scene were observed removing iron rods from the burned shops, while burnt goods remained scattered on the ground.
Meanwhile, LASEMA has indefinitely sealed off burnt Iponri Estate.
It is worth recalling that over the weekend, the state government, through LASEMA, sealed off Progressive Estate, Abule Nla, situated on Desalu Street, Iponri, Surulere Local Government, following a recent fire outbreak, pending an integrity test on the building.
Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu issued this directive during his visit to Block five and six within Progressive Estate.
He urged residents to prioritize the safety of their lives and property at all times and refrain from storing flammable products at home.
The head of LASEMA reiterated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s commitment to safety, emphasizing that the building would be demolished to ground level if it fails the structural assessment.
Oke-Osanyintolu urged residents to prioritize the safety of lives and property by adhering to Lagos State’s safety rules and regulations.
Addressing the fire scene, he emphasized, “It is in the best interest of every Lagosian to heed government warnings and collaborate with authorities during this harsh harmattan season, which poses a high risk of fire outbreaks.”
He highlighted the extensive sensitization and advocacy efforts undertaken by the Lagos state government to ensure residents’ safety.
Expressing sympathy for the occupants of Progressive Estate, Oke-Osanyintolu classified the building as “unfit for habitation.”
“The team is conducting the secondary survey on the building currently, and directed occupants to move out because it is very unstable.”
While recounting the sequence of events leading to the fire incident, the Estate Manager, Mr. Shamsideen Lawal, attributed it to an electricity surge originating from one of the apartments.
Lawal emphasized that the resident whose house was initially affected, before the fire spread to other units, nearly attempted suicide due to the significant loss of cash and property in his apartment.
During Vanguard’s visit to the site, various first responders from different agencies were present to carry out further rescue operations, with remnants of occupants’ belongings scattered on the ground.
It is recalled that in the early hours of Friday, a block of six flats in Progressive Estate, Abule Nla, Iponri area of Lagos, was engulfed by fire around 1:30 am.
Some affected residents also attributed the fire incident to a power surge originating from one of the apartments during the early hours.
They described how the explosion of gas cylinders in different units exacerbated the situation, causing roofs to be blown off and property worth millions of naira to be consumed by the flames.
They expressed dissatisfaction with the delayed response from the federal fire service in the area before LASEMA arrived to assist them.