Traffic chaos erupts after series of accidents involving blazing cars on Lagos' Admiralty Way

Motorists and residents were left stranded on Monday morning after a series of road crashes occurred along Admiralty Way in Lagos, with one of the vehicles involved catching fire and engulfing the surrounding area in flames.

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The incident took place near the Admiralty Roundabout axis of Admiralty Way in Lekki, a major commercial hub, prompting widespread panic among those in the vicinity, according to an eyewitness who witnessed the chaos unfold.

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The situation quickly took a turn for the worse as the burning vehicle sent thick plumes of smoke into the air, forcing motorists to flee the area and seek safety elsewhere, with the eyewitness describing the scene as one of utter chaos.

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Officials from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) subsequently confirmed the incident in a public update on Monday, stating that the collision had occurred near Road 14 along Admiralty Way, close to the Admiralty Roundabout.

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Footage from the scene showed one of the vehicles completely consumed by flames, with heavy black smoke billowing into the air and visible from a distance, as road users quickly abandoned the affected lane to avoid the danger.

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Emergency responders were swiftly deployed to the scene to contain the situation, with traffic movement in the area severely disrupted as a result, prompting LASTMA officials to divert motorists through Road 14 and onto Durosimi Etti Road to bypass the accident scene.

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The disruption was further exacerbated by ongoing road rehabilitation works along the axis by the Lagos State Government, leaving numerous motorists and commuters stranded in long traffic queues with no clear escape route.

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Firefighters from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service later arrived at the scene and battled to bring the flames under control, with the fire eventually being extinguished, although the affected vehicle was left completely burnt out.

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Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the incident, although the aftermath was marked by significant disruption to traffic flow in the area, with LASTMA officials working to regulate traffic and ensure smoother movement along alternative routes.

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As part of their efforts to ease congestion, officers introduced a temporary contra-flow arrangement, while personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies were deployed to maintain order and ensure the safety of lives and property in the area.

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Efforts were still ongoing at the time of reporting to remove the wreckage and restore normal traffic flow along the busy corridor, with officials working to minimize further disruption to motorists and commuters.