A deadly explosion occurred on Tuesday night after a 30-tonne gas truck collided near the Otedola Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The incident resulted in one death, three injuries, and the destruction of two buildings, including a Redeemed Christian Church of God structure, along with four vehicles.
Multiple videos shared on X showed thick flames engulfing the area after the explosion.
Margaret Adeseye, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said that the fire erupted after the gas truck, which had no registration number, was involved in an accident while navigating the road.
The truck caught fire following the collision, causing significant destruction.
Adeseye explained that the resulting fire quickly spread to two buildings, including a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) structure and a bungalow, as well as four vehicles of different makes.
“The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is currently attending to a fire resulting from a tanker accident outward Otedola Bridge, Omole, Lagos, at about 20:00 hours.
“The 30-tonne DAF Gas Truck with an unknown registration number caught fire after an accident, resulting in an explosion and fireballs in front of a Redeemed church.
“The fire spread to the church, an adjoining bungalow, and four different vehicles. Firefighting efforts are ongoing to mitigate further damage,” Adeseye said.
However, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) later confirmed the casualty figures, reporting that three adult male victims with severe burns were rescued and taken to the burns unit at Gbagada General Hospital.
The remains of an adult male were also recovered from the scene.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the fire had been extinguished.
He clarified that the incident did not occur on the bridge itself and that traffic was flowing freely on the bridge.
“We can confirm that the fire, which has now been put out, did not occur on the bridge.
“There is a free flow of traffic, and officers of the Lagos State Police Command are fully on the ground to secure the scene for other post-fire activities,” Hundeyin said.
