Just in: Panic as gas tanker catches fire in Lagos

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By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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Panic erupted on Friday afternoon after a mini gas tanker caught fire along the Owode-Elede corridor inward Ikorodu, Lagos, following a gas leak.

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Emergency responders said there were no reported casualties as of the time of filing this report.

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The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, in collaboration with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), swiftly contained the fire, preventing what could have escalated into a major disaster.

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It was gathered that the gas tanker developed a mechanical fault while in transit, leading to a leakage of compressed gas, which subsequently ignited and set the vehicle ablaze.

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Preliminary investigations indicated that the fire resulted from the gas leakage.

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LASTMA’s Rescue and Recovery Team was immediately deployed to evacuate the affected vehicle from the road.

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General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the prompt and coordinated response of emergency agencies prevented the incident from escalating.

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“Through a prompt, coordinated and highly professional emergency response operation, the fire was immediately contained, thereby preventing its escalation into a potentially catastrophic inferno capable of endangering lives, property and critical road infrastructure,” he said.

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To minimise traffic disruption, LASTMA operatives created an alternative route by combining one serviceable lane with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor to facilitate controlled vehicular movement.

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As a result, traffic along the affected corridor remained orderly despite the emergency operations.

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Bakare-Oki commended the swift collaboration among the emergency responders, describing their intervention as crucial in averting a potentially devastating incident.

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He also urged motorists to exercise caution, obey traffic regulations and cooperate with emergency personnel during rescue operations.

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“LASTMA remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, ensuring traffic flow and delivering prompt emergency response services across Lagos State’s transportation network,” he said.

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