A deadly gas explosion in the Ajah area of Lagos State has left two people dead and destroyed several properties, including warehouses and roadside shops, in the early hours of Saturday.
The incident happened along the busy Lekki-Epe Expressway at Tera Ahmed bus stop in Sangotedo, a fast-growing part of Lagos known for its residential estates, markets, and increasing commercial activity. The explosion followed a collision between a gas tanker and a tipper truck, causing a fire that spread quickly to nearby buildings.
Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the incident and said emergency teams responded swiftly after receiving a distress call at about 2:36 a.m.
According to a statement issued by the agency, fire crews from Lekki Phase II, Oniru, and Epe II stations were immediately deployed to the scene to contain the blaze and prevent further damage.
The statement, signed by the Controller General of the agency, Margaret Adeseye, explained that the accident occurred when a speeding 20-tonne tipper truck traveling from the Epe end of the expressway crashed into a 30-tonne gas tanker. The tanker was said to have been stationary on the road and had failed to move off the highway.
“The impact of the collision led to a massive fire outbreak,” the statement said. “The fire quickly spread to nearby structures, including three warehouses and about 10 roadside shops.”
Among the affected structures were a gym and a generator house, both of which were completely damaged by the fire. Witnesses in the area described the scene as chaotic, with flames rising high into the sky and thick smoke covering parts of the expressway.
Residents and passersby reportedly fled for safety as the fire intensified, fearing further explosions due to the presence of flammable materials in the area.
Despite the scale of the incident, emergency responders were able to prevent the fire from spreading to a nearby petrol station. The fire service confirmed that a Total Petrol Filling Station close to the scene was successfully saved, along with a fully loaded 33,000-litre Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) tanker.
Firefighters worked for several hours to bring the situation under control. By the time the fire was extinguished, significant damage had already been done to properties within the vicinity.
Tragically, two people lost their lives in the incident. The victims were identified as the driver of the tipper truck and his assistant. Both men were burnt beyond recognition in the explosion, according to the fire service.
“The driver of the gas truck, however, escaped unhurt,” the statement added.
After the fire was put out, emergency workers recovered several damaged vehicles from the affected area. These included three Sienna buses, one Toyota Corolla car, and a forklift.
Authorities also confirmed that efforts were ongoing to clear the wreckage of the two trucks involved in the collision. The removal process is expected to help restore full traffic movement along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, which is one of the major roads connecting different parts of Lagos Island and the Lekki corridor.
As of the time of this report, normalcy was gradually returning to the area, though residents and business owners were still counting their losses.
Many shop owners affected by the fire were seen assessing the damage to their goods and properties. Some expressed sadness over the incident, noting that they lost valuable items and sources of livelihood.
“I lost everything in my shop,” one trader said. “This is how I feed my family. I don’t even know where to start again.”
The incident has once again raised concerns about road safety and the movement of heavy-duty vehicles, especially tankers carrying flammable substances, on major highways in Lagos.
In recent years, Lagos has recorded several similar incidents involving tanker explosions, leading to loss of lives and destruction of property. These events have prompted calls for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and better monitoring of tanker movements.
Authorities have also been urged to ensure that trucks carrying hazardous materials are properly maintained and driven by trained professionals.
Saturday’s incident highlights the need for improved safety measures, especially along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, which has seen rapid development and increased traffic over the past decade.
The road serves as a key route for commuters, businesses, and logistics operations in areas such as Ajah, Sangotedo, and Epe. With more residential estates, shopping centres, and industries springing up in the corridor, traffic volume has continued to rise.
Emergency response agencies have been praised for their quick action in containing the fire and preventing what could have been an even greater disaster.
However, many residents believe more needs to be done to prevent such incidents from happening in the first place.
As investigations into the cause of the crash continue, authorities are expected to review safety measures and possibly introduce new regulations to reduce the risk of similar accidents in the future.
For now, the focus remains on clearing the scene, supporting affected victims, and ensuring that traffic flow is fully restored.