A potential fire disaster was averted in Lagos after firefighters swiftly contained a blaze sparked by a leaking gas tanker along the Owode Elede section of Ikorodu Road.
The incident occurred after the six-tyre mini gas tanker developed a mechanical fault while in transit along the busy road on Friday.
Emergency responders discovered that compressed gas was leaking from the vehicle, which subsequently ignited and triggered the fire.
Personnel of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, working alongside the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Rescue and Recovery Team, responded promptly to the emergency and quickly brought the blaze under control, preventing it from escalating into what officials described as a potentially catastrophic incident.
The swift intervention also prevented damage to nearby properties, protected motorists and safeguarded critical road infrastructure along the busy corridor.
To minimise disruption to traffic, LASTMA operatives opened one serviceable lane and temporarily utilised the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor to manage vehicular movement around the scene.
The agency said the traffic management measures ensured the free flow of vehicles despite the emergency operation.
Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the swift response and collaboration among emergency agencies, describing their actions as instrumental in averting a potentially devastating incident.
He urged motorists to exercise caution, obey traffic regulations and cooperate with emergency responders whenever such incidents occur.
LASTMA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, maintaining traffic flow and delivering prompt emergency response services across the state’s road network.