By HeapNews
A gas explosion at Orisumbare Market, Oja Bus Stop, Baale Road, Orile-Iganmu, on Saturday afternoon sparked a major fire that destroyed at least 37 shops, emergency officials said.
The explosion, which occurred around 2:45 p.m., reportedly started in a shop that sells cooking gas and quickly spread to nearby stores, according to a preliminary report from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).
“On arrival at the scene, it was observed that a block of shops in the market was engulfed in flames,” LASEMA said. “Further information revealed that the fire started from an explosion in one of the shops selling cooking gas.”
Although no fatalities were recorded, a young man sustained injuries and was treated by LASEMA paramedics at the scene.
The fire, which razed 37 shops, was eventually contained and extinguished through the combined efforts of multiple emergency responders, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the market and nearby buildings.
Responders included LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire Service, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), the Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).
Officials said investigations are underway to determine the circumstances leading to the explosion and assess the extent of property damage.