Survivors recount near-death experience as Lagos tanker explosion razed 11 vehicles

Hajia Suna Saliu’s life flashed before her eyes as she heard a loud explosion a few steps away from where she sold her herbal products.

Suna said she had her daughter strapped to her back and had left her kiosk in search of some change for her customer when the explosion happened.

“I thought I had even died. I was scared. All I remember is that I ran as fast as my legs could carry me under the bridge to take cover.

“The heat from the flames could be felt even as I was there and my child was crying badly. I wanted to run farther but then I remembered my goods and decided to return. It was a very confusing situation. I lost everything but I thank Almighty Allah for my life,” she said.

On Thursday, at about 7:30 pm, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said a fuel tanker ascending Sifax inwards Costain Bridge rolled back onto another tanker, causing an explosion.

Several cars behind the vehicles were said to have been burnt beyond recognition, as motorists and passengers scampered to safety.

The agency, in a statement signed by its Director-General, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, on Thursday said it had “activated its emergency response plan and all relevant stakeholders have commenced appropriate measures to combat the flames and prevent secondary incidents.”

“Lagosians are urged to remain calm,” it added.

Also, the Lagos State Fire Rescue Service in a post on X at about 8 pm, said, “Fire Alert! The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service is currently engaging in firefighting operations at Costain towards Ijora 7up, where a tanker fire is being combated at the Lagos Quadrapont Bridge by the National Arts Theater, Iganmu. The Sari Iganmu and Ilupeju Fire Crews are combining efforts to tame the raging fire. An update will follow.”

The Lagos State Traffic Management Agency also confirmed the outbreak in a post on X, saying, “A tanker has gone up in flames just before Iganmu bridge from Sifax. LASTMA has already alerted the @LagosRescue. Our officers at the scene are doing their best to handle the situation.”

When our correspondent arrived at the scene on Thursday morning, smoke and pockets of small fire were still seen around the area.

The incident, our correspondent observed, happened opposite Fashola Estate, Palex Bus Stop, around the Iganmu Bridge in Ijora.

A woman, Chinendu Ogu, who said she lived blocks away and sold abacha (cooked cassava flakes) around the area, said the fire must have raged for more than four hours.

“I was here when it started. Everyone ran away. How can we combat that kind of fire? If you were here, you would not have been able to withstand it. The sound (of the explosion) alone would make you think your heart had fallen into your stomach. I left my tray of abacha and ran for my life.