An explosion is reported at a gas station situated at Ogunlana Street, Ketu-Ikosi Road, Lagos resulting in a fire that completely burnt 2 shops.
This is the second fire incident within 2 days in the state. The first incident occurred when a part of the popular motor spare parts market at the Alapeju section of Ladipo, Mushin, was razed by fire.
Eyewitnesses suspect a power surge as the gas station explosion occurred at about midnight, the moment the Power Holding Company of Nigeria restored power supply.
According to Emmanuel Aka, a resident on the street, there was a loud explosion prompting him to run out with his newborn baby.
According to him, “My wife was still asleep as it was well past midnight. I woke her up and we ran out with just the wrapper we used to cover ourselves as we slept.”
Another resident of the neighbourhood narrated how a young girl ran into his compound while he ws receiving fresh air on his balcony.
“I quickly became alert. I thought it was a thief. I ran after her and she shouted ‘fire ! fire !’ I opened my gate and that was when I head a loud sound like that of an explosion. I didn’t know which way to run as my car was parked inside and my family was also inside. I was in a terrible dilemma.
“Most people were awake following the explosion. I later managed to drive my car away from the scene. If the fire had gotten serious, it would have affected us in this building.”
According to the residents, efforts to reach the fire service proved abortive as the phones were either switched off or the officers called hung up on receiving the calls.
However, men of the Lagos State fire service arrived after an hour and doused the flames. 2 close by shops were completely razed by the fire but no human casualty has been reported.