A fire outbreak at a fuel station on Old Akute Road in the Obawole area of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government, Lagos State, caused widespread panic on Wednesday as thick smoke and flames quickly spread from the site.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident, which drew an immediate response from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
Jubril Gawat, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated that emergency responders were already on the scene. In response to an alert on social media, Gawat noted, “Our people are on the ground. It seems the fire started from a building behind the filling station.”
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident occurred around 4 p.m., following a loud explosion that drew the attention of nearby residents and passersby near K Farms Estate. Chaos ensued as residents and motorists fled in different directions to avoid the fast-spreading flames.
Locals alleged the fire may have originated from underground fuel tanks before engulfing other parts of the station. Firefighters cordoned off the area to prevent interference and ensure safety during operations.
Shakiru Amodu, spokesperson for the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, said the blaze was swiftly contained, preventing it from spreading to nearby properties. As of 6 p.m., emergency crews had brought the situation under control.
In a separate incident, a fire broke out on Victoria Island around 5:22 p.m., gutting a building opposite the Silverbird Galleria on Ahmadu Bello Way. Firefighters from the Oniru station arrived at the scene approximately 22 minutes later, despite delays caused by traffic.
Amodu confirmed that the Victoria Island fire was also brought under control and no lives were lost in either incident.
