15 Injured in Lagos Gas Explosion: Residents Call for Stricter Safety Regulations
Lagos, Nigeria – April 6, 2025 — At least 15 people were injured in a gas explosion that rocked Ijora Badia, Apapa Iganmu Local Council Development Area of Lagos Statehttp://gas explosion that rocked Ijora Badia, Apapa Iganmu Local Council Development Area of Lagos State on Sunday afternoon. The incident has reignited public concern over gas safety and emergency response standards in Nigeria’s most populous city.
Gas Leak Ignites Deadly Blast in Residential-Shop Complex
According to the Lagos State Firehttp://Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the explosion occurred at approximately 4:10 p.m. in a mini-shop that stored multiple liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders. The shop was part of a bungalow that also contained 15 self-contained residential rooms and seven adjoining businesses.
Director Margaret Adeseye confirmed that a leaking 25kg gas cylinder ignited after coming into contact with a nearby open flame. The resulting explosion sent shockwaves through the tightly packed community, causing panic and chaos.
“It was a case of poor handling of gas products, which unfortunately allowed gas to escape and come in contact with a flame,” Adeseye said. “This triggered the explosion.”
15 Sustain Injuries, Emergency Teams Prevent Further Disaster
Emergency responders, including firefighters from the Sari Iganmu Fire Station, personnel from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), quickly arrived at the scene. The fire was extinguished before it could spread further.
Fifteen individuals sustained varying degrees of burn injuries. Some were treated on-site, while others were rushed to nearby hospitals. Authorities confirmed that no lives were lost, and none of the injuries were life-threatening.
“The remains of the gas cylinders were safely evacuated, and the danger was completely averted. Normalcy has since returned to the area,” Adeseye added.
Recurring Tragedy Raises Concerns Over Gas Handling in Lagos
This explosion is the latest in a troubling pattern of gas-related accidents in Lagos. In March 2025, a gas tanker explosion on the Otedola Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway claimed five lives and injured several others.
Safety advocates are urging the Lagos State Government to intensify public awareness campaigns, enforce regulations on gas distribution, and promote the use of safer energy alternatives in densely populated areas.
