On Sunday night, a devastating gas explosion rocked the Lekki area of Lagos State.
The accident caused fire that raged into the early hours of Monday, destroying makeshift residential structures on over two acres of land at Star Road, by Horizon Heights, Ikate-Elegushi.
The fire is said t have been traced to negligence by the occupants leading to the destruction of properties valued at millions of naira.
According to Vanguard, eyewitness accounts reveal that the incident occurred around 11:00p.m. and continued raging into the early morning.
Emergency response teams, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and other first responders, arrived promptly at the scene to battle the blaze.
Their efforts prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent high-value properties in the densely populated area.
During the firefighting operations, responders discovered 62 gas cylinders, which significantly contributed to the spread of the fire as they ignited one after another.
The fire was successfully extinguished around 1 a.m., followed by a comprehensive mop-up operation that concluded at approximately 3 a.m., focusing on the enumeration and assessment of the damaged properties—a process that was ongoing at the time of reporting.
Among the losses were various makeshift homes, personal belongings, cash, and other valuables, all amounting to a significant financial toll on the affected residents. Margaret Adeseye, the Director of the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, highlighted the crucial role of the firemen from Oniru and Lekki Phase II Fire Stations in halting the spread of the fire and averting further damage to nearby properties.
Adeseye confirmed that, fortunately, there were no fatalities, but at least two male adults sustained injuries from the incident.
They were promptly treated by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and are currently in stable health conditions.
According to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service @LagosRescue, “At 22:50hrs a fire emergency was reported in the vicinity of Star Road, by Horizon Heights, Ikate-Elegushi, Lekki Lagos. Promptly responding to the call, firefighters from Oniru and Lekki Phase II Fire Stations of the Lagos state fire and rescue Service arrived at the scene 23:00hrs.
“The incident involved residential makeshift structures, encompassing approximately an acre of land. Efforts by firefighters successfully contained the fire, employing defensive firefighting tactics to prevent its spread to upscale properties and mitigate further potential threat.
“Notably, the fire was challenging to control due to the involvement of 65 camp gas canisters, which posed an explosion risk. Fortunately, there have been no reported casualties.‘
“Investigation into the cause of the fire revealed that it originated from one of the rooms within shanties behind an estate before extending to nearby structures. Collaborative efforts from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, estate fire department, the Nigerian Police Force ensured a rapid and coordinated response, effectively preventing any loss of life or injuries.”
Margaret Adeseye Director,
Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service
12th February, 2024