A retail outlet of ExxonMobil filling station along Awolowo Road, opposite Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, went up in flames on Thursday, leaving two people critically injured, six vehicles burnt, and segments of a nearby building destroyed.
“In a statement, Nosa Okunbor, Head of the Public Affairs Unit at the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said: “The fire incident was caused by the explosion of a 12-tonne gas truck at the filling station.”
“Although no casualties were recorded, two adult males sustained severe burns and were rushed to the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for treatment,” Okunbor added.
The statement further explained that others who sustained minor injuries were promptly rescued and received immediate medical attention from the agency’s pre-hospital care team in collaboration with LASAMBUS.
According to the statement, LASEMA responded to distress calls received through the 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency lines at 1108hrs
The agency’s response team, along with personnel from the Lagos State Fire Service and Rescue team, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Nigeria Police, were deployed to the scene to prevent the fire from escalating.
“The fire is under control, as it was quickly contained by the agency’s LRT and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to prevent it from escalating to the surroundings,” the statement noted
The cause of the explosion is under investigation, according to LASEMA
