A devastating explosion rocked the Otedola Bridge area of Lagos, Nigeria, on Monday night, igniting a massive fire that engulfed several structures and vehicles.
The explosion, which occurred at approximately 8:08 p.m., involved a 30-tonne DAF gas tanker carrying petroleum products. According to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the fire quickly spread to a church, an adjoining bungalow, and four vehicles, triggering panic among motorists.
Eyewitnesses reported that the tanker was navigating the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when the blast occurred. In a desperate bid to escape, drivers abandoned their vehicles and made hasty U-turns, fearing they might be trapped in the inferno.
Emergency responders, including officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the State Fire Service, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), rushed to the scene.
Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed ongoing firefighting efforts, stating, “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is currently attending to a fire resulting from a tanker accident outward Otedola Bridge, Omole, Lagos, at about 8 p.m. While firefighting operations are ongoing, there has been no record of casualties, with further updates to follow.”
LASEMA’s Head of Public Affairs, Boss Okunbo, described the incident as “some sort of explosion” and assured that a preliminary report was forthcoming as response teams worked to contain the fire.
As of the time of reporting, emergency services were still battling to extinguish the flames and prevent further damage.
