Late on Tuesday night, a devastating gas explosion rocked the neighborhood of Iju Ishaga in Lagos, resulting in the destruction of eighteen shops. 

The incident, which occurred at 10:04 pm, was caused by the off-loading of six 75-50(kg) gas cylinders from a stationary mini truck to a gas shop. The explosions ensued from one of the compromised head caps of a cylinder, igniting a fierce fire.

Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed the incident, assuring the public that there were no reported casualties or injuries. She emphasized that emergency operations were swiftly initiated, and efforts were underway to bring the situation under control.

Adeseye disclosed that the fire had been contained to the tanker and the adjacent row of shops where it spread. She commended the concerted efforts of the firefighting teams in preventing further escalation and safeguarding the surrounding environment and property, including the nearby Kerosene Petroleum Filling Station.

As the situation gradually normalized in the area, Adeseye urged residents to exercise caution and refrain from housing inflammable materials in residential areas to mitigate the risk of similar incidents in the future.

Local authorities continue to investigate the root cause of the explosion while providing support to affected businesses and residents in the community.