About 30 persons were on Thursday injured as a gas tanker exploded into flames in Iju-Ishaga and Iju-Ajuwon communities in Ifako-Ijaiye council area of Lagos State.
The explosion rocked Ogun State communities on the Lagos border.
A massive fire resulted from the blast.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the incident.
The agency’s Southwest Coordinator, Ibrahim Farinloye told newsmen that their officials were immediately mobilised to the scene, as were fire servicemen.
He said: “Yes, a tanker exploded at Balogun Bus stop, Iju Ishaga. The tanker was trying to enter a gas plant when it exploded. There were domestic cylinders there and so, those ones also started exploding.
It was gathered that the explosion resulted from a gas tanker that suddenly went up in flames as it entered a ditch on its way to a new gas plant in a residential neighborhood.
About 23 buildings and 15 vehicles were burnt.
A lawyer, Fisayo Eluyare, who was among those who raised the alarm said the explosion nearly brought down his house.
He wrote: “Gas explosion nearly brought my house down! The explosion didn’t even happen very close to my house, but it shook the whole house and almost shattered my windows.”
“People sustained burn injuries but no deaths reported yet. We have contacted the fire service. We appeal to people to stay away from the area,” he said.
Roads in the area were closed while motorists were advised to use alternative routes.
The situation was later brought under control, vehicular movement was restored.
Residents appealed to the state government to relocate gas plants operating in the residential area.
It was unclear at press time if anyone died in the incident.
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