Two dead, warehouses destroyed as gas tanker-trailer collision sparks Lagos inferno

A gas explosion in the Ajah area of Lagos on Saturday has left two people dead and destroyed several properties, including warehouses and roadside shops.

The incident occurred in the early hours along the Lekki-Epe Expressway at Tera Ahmed bus stop, Sangotedo, after a collision between a gas tanker and a tipper truck.

Officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the development, noting that the fire had been extinguished as of the time of reporting.

According to a statement signed by the agency’s Controller General, Margaret Adeseye, emergency responders quickly brought the situation under control.

“The accident which was alerted at 02:36 wee hours Saturday saw Lekki Phase II, Oniru and Epe II Fire Stations of the agency raced to the scene after it was reported that an oncoming speeding 20-tonne tipper truck from the Epe end rammed from behind into a stationed 30-tonne gas truck that failed to pull over from the highway.

“The resultant effects culminated in fire spreading to three adjoining warehouses and 10 roadside shops, including a gym and generator house, before the fire was put out, saving a Total Petrol Filling Station, its fully loaded 33,000-litre PMS tanker and a host of properties,” the statement read.

The agency added that after the fire was extinguished, emergency teams recovered three Sienna buses, a Toyota Corolla, and a forklift from the affected area.

It was also confirmed that the driver of the tipper truck and his assistant were burnt beyond recognition, while the driver of the gas tanker escaped unharmed.

Authorities said efforts are ongoing to clear the wreckage of the vehicles from the road, as normal activities gradually return to the area.