On Friday evening, panic gripped the Ikeja Under Bridge area as an explosion rocked the neighbourhood, sending residents and passers-by into a state of fear and confusion. The explosion, which occurred around 6:30 p.m., was traced to a solar inverter that suddenly blew up, causing significant concern and disruption in the busy area.
Eyewitnesses who were present at the scene described a moment of intense chaos. According to one of the witnesses, the explosion occurred without any prior warning and creating an atmosphere of fear. The loud blast could be heard from several meters away.
“The blast came out of nowhere. It was so loud, and it felt like the whole place shook. People started running in all directions,” said a local trader who witnessed the incident.
The cause of the explosion was later confirmed to be a solar inverter that had malfunctioned and exploded. Inverters are commonly used in homes and businesses to store energy from solar panels, but when not properly maintained, they can pose a fire hazard, as seen in this incident.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service was quick to respond to the explosion. Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed the explosion and reassured the public that the situation was under control. Firefighters battled flames that had ignited from the building affected by the explosion.
“There was no cause for alarm. Our team was on the ground swiftly to control the situation, and we have been able to put out the fire. The public should remain calm as we assess the situation,” Mrs. Adeseye stated in a press briefing shortly after the explosion.
The fire caused by the inverter’s explosion would have spread to the building it was housed in, but the quick intervention of the firefighters limited further damage.
Many people who had been in the area when the explosion occurred were seen running for cover, and some vehicles were forced to reverse in the middle of the road as the situation unfolded. Several businesses near the site temporarily closed as a precautionary measure, and people gathered at safe distances, watching as emergency teams worked.
“I had just finished work and was trying to get home when the explosion happened. We could not understand what was going on at first, but it was clear that something serious had happened,” said a commuter, Chijioke Okeke. “I had to park my car and wait because of the traffic. It was chaos all around.”
Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties from the explosion. According to the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, the building affected by the blast was largely unoccupied at the time of the explosion, and the few people present were able to escape the building unharmed. The emergency response teams also ensured that there was no further risk to nearby buildings or individuals.
Although the fire was quickly extinguished, the cause of the inverter’s malfunction and subsequent explosion is still under investigation. Authorities are looking into whether faulty wiring, poor maintenance, or another technical issue was responsible for the explosion.
The incident at Ikeja Under Bridge brings to light the increasing reliance on solar energy and inverters in Lagos and other urban centers in Nigeria. In recent years, many Nigerians have turned to solar power due to inconsistent electricity supply from the national grid. While solar energy is seen as a cleaner and more reliable alternative, the use of inverters has also led to safety concerns, especially when they are not maintained properly.
“Solar inverters are meant to be safe, but like any electrical appliance, they need proper installation and maintenance. People must ensure that their inverters are inspected regularly to avoid issues like this,” said an electrical engineer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “This incident should serve as a reminder that safety must always come first, especially when dealing with electricity and electrical appliances.”
The explosion has left many people in the Ikeja Under Bridge community concerned about the safety of the area and the potential risks posed by faulty electrical appliances. Local residents are calling for better regulation and oversight to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
“This could have been much worse,” said a shop owner near the scene, who asked not to be named. “People need to be more careful with the things they use, and the government should do more to ensure that these inverters are checked regularly. It’s not just about preventing fires; it’s about saving lives.”
For now, while the situation is under control, the explosion at Ikeja Under Bridge has sparked a conversation about safety standards and the risks that come with electrical systems used in homes and businesses across Lagos. As authorities continue their investigation into the cause of the explosion, residents are hopeful that such an event will not happen again in the future.
