Panic In Lagos As Gas Explosion Rocks Orile-Iganmu Market - A Wake-Up Call For Safer LPG Practices

Panic In Lagos As Gas Explosion Rocks Orile-Iganmu Market - A Wake-Up Call For Safer LPG Practices

Panic swept through the Orile-Iganmu area of Lagos on Sunday after a powerful gas explosion tore through a section of the Orisunmibare Market, off Baale Street. The blast, which occurred around 2:13 p.m., triggered a fierce fire that destroyed several shops and goods worth millions of naira. Though no lives were lost, the incident once again highlights the urgent need for stronger safety measures in the handling and retailing of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) across Nigeria.

According to eyewitness accounts, the explosion was traced to a gas retail outlet that reportedly stored multiple cylinders of varying sizes.

“I was inside when it happened,” said one eyewitness, identified simply as Ejem. “Around us here, there are three filling stations one is the MRS filling station opposite my street, another is a gas company behind my street, and then there’s a man who has a very big shop where he sells gas. They said one of the boys at the shop was pressing his phone when the explosion occurred. The fire spread quickly because some nearby shops also used camp gas for cooking.”

The combination of poor safety practices, overcrowded markets, and proximity to fuel stations turned what could have been a minor accident into a dangerous inferno. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, led by its Director, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, confirmed that fire crews responded promptly and contained the situation.

“No lives were lost, except for one person who sustained a minor hand injury,” Adeseye said.

In a separate statement, Adeseye revealed that another fire crew was dispatched to manage a 33,000-litre petrol tanker accident along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway near the Berger Car Depot. The tanker, which collided with multiple vehicles, spilled its contents, a situation that could have resulted in another major disaster if not for the swift response from the Ajegunle and Ijegun-Egba fire teams.

Meanwhile, the fire service was also called to a rescue mission along Ikorodu Road, where a 55-year-old man accidentally fell into an underground drainage channel. After a sustained rescue effort, the victim was recovered alive, demonstrating the agency’s efficiency and commitment to protecting lives and property.

Adeseye commended her team’s efforts, noting that within 48 hours, multiple emergencies were contained without any fatalities.

The Bigger Picture: A Call for Stronger LPG Regulation and Safety Education

At LPG in Nigeria, we see incidents like this as part of a troubling pattern that underscores the lack of safety awareness and regulation in the domestic gas retail sector. Despite the growing adoption of LPG as a cleaner energy alternative, many small-scale retailers still operate without adherence to safety standards, including cylinder storage limits, fire safety equipment, and professional installation guidelines.

The Orile-Iganmu explosion mirrors similar accidents in other parts of Nigeria, where improper handling, illegal refilling, and lack of safety training have led to devastating consequences. It also raises questions about regulatory oversight how close gas retail shops are allowed to operate near crowded markets or residential buildings.

With LPG use expanding rapidly across Nigeria, public safety must move to the center of policy and business practices. Government agencies, marketers, and local councils must collaborate to:

Enforce licensing and compliance standards for gas retailers.

Provide mandatory safety training for all operators.

Educate consumers on proper cylinder handling and safe refilling practices.

Establish clear zoning laws to separate fuel and gas outlets from dense residential areas.

Looking Forward: Turning Tragedy into Change

While the swift response of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service prevented a greater disaster, the Orile-Iganmu explosion serves as yet another reminder that preventive action is far more effective than emergency response.

Nigeria’s LPG sector holds immense potential both economically and environmentally but without safety as its foundation, progress remains fragile. As adoption grows, so must our commitment to safe infrastructure, responsible retailing, and continuous public education.

At LPG in Nigeria, we advocate for a safety-first LPG market that prioritizes lives over profit. The Orile-Iganmu incident must not be just another headline, it should be the turning point for better regulation, stricter enforcement, and smarter consumer awareness.

• Lpg
• cooking gas
• gas explosion
• orile-iganmu
• nigeria
• Lpg in nigeria