Double Tanker Explosions Rock Lagos and Ogun: Fire Guts Filling Station, Injures Two on Expressway

Double Tanker Explosions Rock Lagos and Ogun: Fire Guts Filling Station, Injures Two on Expressway

A massive fire broke out at the Optima Filling Station in the Obawole area of Fagba, Lagos, on Wednesday evening following an explosion from a petroleum tanker.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. when a 33,000-litre tanker discharging Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at the station, located along Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road, suddenly exploded.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service reported that the blaze spread to a second 33,000-litre tanker stationed nearby. The resulting fire caused extensive damage to the first tanker, the station’s retail marts, a one-storey residential building behind the station, and another structure on a neighbouring street.

Thankfully, no casualties were reported. The filling station is said to be owned by two members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN).

Firefighters from Agege and Ikeja swiftly responded to the scene, with reinforcements from Alausa headquarters. Their prompt and coordinated efforts helped contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further.

In a separate incident earlier in the day, two individuals sustained injuries after a tanker explosion on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The explosion occurred at the NASFAT axis of the expressway when a petroleum-laden tanker fell and ignited, causing severe traffic congestion. Six vehicles were affected, including four trucks, a commercial bus and a Toyota Camry.

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The Public Relations Officer of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Mr. Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the blast, noting that the injured were taken to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Shagamu.

TRACE, alongside officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), deployed emergency teams to manage the situation. Sector spokesperson Florence Okpe said:

“A fallen laden tanker at NASFAT turning, outbound Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, exploded. Traffic is seriously affected. Fire services were contacted, and motorists coming from Lagos were diverted through Christ Embassy Camp.”

Emergency responders including TRACE, FRSC, the police and the fire service remained on-site to manage the aftermath and restore normalcy.