A sudden gas explosion on Sunday afternoon caused panic in the Orile Iganmu area of Lagos State, destroying several shops and leaving traders in shock.
The fire reportedly started around 2:13 p.m. at Orisunmibare Market, close to Baale Street, and quickly spread through nearby stores before emergency responders arrived at the scene.
According to reports, the incident began at a gas retail outlet where multiple cylinders of different sizes were stored. Witnesses said the explosion erupted after one of the workers allegedly operated a mobile phone close to the cylinders, igniting the flames. Within minutes, the fire consumed adjoining shops selling gas and household items, leaving behind charred debris and smoke.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the incident, noting that their teams arrived swiftly to contain the inferno. The agency’s director, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said one person sustained a minor injury but thankfully no lives were lost. She added that the coordinated response from fire crews prevented the flames from spreading further into the market.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as terrifying. A trader identified simply as Ejem said, “I was inside when it happened. Around us here, there are three filling stations, and there’s a man who sells gas in a big shop. They said one of the boys there was pressing his phone when the explosion occurred.” The explosion reportedly caused traders to run for their lives as smoke and fire engulfed the area.
Several shops and goods valued in millions of naira were completely destroyed, leaving affected traders devastated. Some residents expressed anger over the poor safety practices of gas retailers in the area, calling on the government to enforce stricter rules to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Officials have since begun investigating the cause of the explosion and assessing the extent of damage to nearby properties. Firefighters remain on standby around Orile Iganmu to prevent possible reignition, while security operatives are maintaining order as recovery efforts continue.
