15 injured as gas explodes in Lagos

At least 15 people sustained various degrees of injuries following a gas explosion that occurred on Sunday afternoon in Ijora Badia, within the Apapa area of Lagos State.

According to a statement issued by Margaret Adeseye, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the incident took place around 4:10 pm at a mini shop that housed a 25kg gas cylinder, along with five other similar cylinders.

The shop, where the explosion originated, was located within a bungalow that contained 15 self-contained rooms and seven other shops.

Adeseye explained that the explosion was caused by a gas leak due to mishandling of the cylinders. She said the leak was ignited by a nearby flame, leading to the sudden explosion.

“It was a case of improper handling of gas products, which unfortunately caused gas to escape and come into contact with a flame, triggering the explosion,” Adeseye stated.

Fortunately, the fire was swiftly brought under control, and the remains of the gas cylinders were safely removed from the site.

Adeseye confirmed that the danger was fully contained, and normalcy had been restored to the area.

While no lives were lost, 15 individuals were injured, suffering from burns. None of the injuries were life-threatening. Several victims received first aid at the scene, while others were transported to nearby hospitals for further treatment.

The fire was extinguished through the combined efforts of firefighters from the Sari Iganmu Fire Station, officials from LASEMA, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and LASAMBUS, the state’s emergency medical service.

This incident follows a similar gas explosion on the Otedola Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in March 2025, which tragically claimed the lives of five people.