10 vehicles burnt, nine injured in Mobil filling station gas explosion

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed 10 vehicles burnt and nine people injured after a gas cylinder exploded at the Mobil Filling Station, Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

The Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement on Thursday said at approximately 10:56am on Thursday, August 8, 2024, the Agency responded to the fire incident.

“It was reported that there had been an explosion followed by a fire outbreak. Investigations have revealed that a gas cylinder explosion occurred which severely impacted 10 vehicles—both commercial and private—and damaged the second story of a neighboring two-story building,” he said.

Oke-Osanyintolu said there were no fatalities but that two adult male sustained severe burns while seven individuals suffered minor injuries.

“All the injured parties were promptly provided with immediate medical attention by the Agency’s pre-hospital care team, in collaboration with LASAMBUS. They were later transferred to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for further treatment,” he said.

The LASEMA boss added that the fire was successfully contained by the combined efforts of the Agency’s Fire Unit and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, preventing it from spreading to surrounding areas.

He explained that initial findings suggested that damage to the pipe of an 8-ton LPG gas cylinder occurred while gas was being dispensed to consumers, leading to the rapid escape of gas, which subsequently ignited and caused the explosion.

“The affected cylinder and a second 12-ton cylinder have been secured. The site is being cordoned off to ensure safety and to return the environment to normalcy as quickly as possible.

“The Agency’s responders along with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, NEMA, LABSCA, and the Nigerian Police Force are actively present at the scene,” he stated.