11 stalls razed as explosion rocks gas shop in Lagos

Eleven shops were razed while properties worth millions of naira were destroyed in a fire incident that occurred on Tuesday at the Boundary Market in the Ajegunle area of Lagos State.

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the fire was caused by an explosion which originated from a retailer’s shop where gas cylinders of various sizes were stored.

He noted in a statement on Tuesday that the agency’s personnel were able to contain the fire and prevented it from spreading to adjoining buildings.

The statement read, “In response to distress calls via the 767/112 Toll Free Emergency numbers at  9:20 am, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency activated its Response Team from Onipanu Base. Upon arrival of the Eagle Response Team at the incident scene by 9:37 pm, it was observed that some shops at the Alayabiagba market were engulfed by fire.
“Investigations conducted revealed that the explosion originated from a gas retailer’s shop where gas cylinders of various sizes were stored, as a result of gas leakage from one of the cylinders before spreading to other shops in the aforementioned location. Collaborative efforts of the cobra team with the firemen at the scene contained the fire and prevented it from spreading to adjoining buildings.”

On the damage recorded, the LASEMA boss stated that a total of 11 shops, including two shops of gas retailer shops and nine others selling clothes, phones, PVC pipes, and daily needs were affected by the fire.

He said the fire was extinguished while the incident scene was managed to avoid secondary incidents.
He added that the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service, Dangote Fire Service and other emergency responders.